DSS Arrests Five Associates Of Former Gov. Sylva Over Alleged Coup

The operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) have arrested five associates of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over links to an alleged coup plot.

NEWSNGR learnt that Sylva’s associates were arrested for allegedly concealing information about their principal, whose whereabouts have been unknown.

A highly-placed source within security agencies who spoke with Daily Trust explained that five of Sylva’s close allies have been probed and would also be arraigned.

The source explained that their offence may be more grievous than Sylva’s over their failure to disclose his whereabouts and other information that could lead to his arrest.

The source said, “They have failed to cooperate with investigators. That means they are also accomplices, they are collaborators in this undemocratic stance. They will have their day in Court soon.”

Recall that the Federal Government had filed a 13-count charge against seven of the civilians linked to an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Six of the alleged coup plotters, who were investigated by both the Nigerian military and the Department of State Services, were accused of terrorising the citizens, and plotting to sack a democratic government.

The charges filed against them border on treasonable felony, conspiracy to overthrow the government, conspiracy to commit terrorism and other offences related to national security threats.

Sylva, who was governor of Bayelsa State, was said to be the seventh person who had been on the run since April, when others were charged to court and he was being tried in absentia before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Those who are being tried for alleged coup plot include a retired Major-General, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; a retired Navy Captain, Victor Erasmus Ochegobia; a serving police Inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim and Sylva.

Others include: Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani while serving military officers among them are currently undergoing court-martial.