Col Mohammed Ma’aji: What you probably didn’t know about infantry officer who allegedly led coup to overthrow Tinubu

Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, a senior Nigerian Army infantry officer commissioned in 2000 after graduating from the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 47 Regular Course, has been identified by military investigators as a key strategist in the alleged 2025 plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration — accused of coordinating logistics and transferring funds to fellow alleged participants.

Arrested in September 2025 alongside 15 other indicted officers, Ma’aji served as Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo State, at the time of his arrest. He previously commanded under Operation Delta Safe and participated in Operation Crocodile Smile II, according to Tribune.

Ma’aji has challenged his detention at the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing prolonged detention violates his fundamental rights.