The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has intensified investigations into the alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu’s led government, with the number of detained officers now put at 42.

Sources who spoke anonymously to Daily Trust confirmed the development on Tuesday, noting that the interrogations were aimed at uncovering the extent of involvement and determining if the discussions ever translated into a concrete plan.

“So far, 42 officers have been picked up. They are being interrogated to establish the depth of involvement and whether there was any concrete plan beyond mere discussions,” one of the sources revealed.

Another source added that the figure could rise as the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and military police continue to trace communication links and funding trails connected to the alleged plot

Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has confirmed that military operatives raided his Abuja residence.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Julius Bokoru, Sylva admitted that the operatives stormed his Abuja and Bayelsa residences on Sunday, during which his younger brother was arrested.

The raid comes amid claims that the managing director of a federal agency in the South-South was also picked up and interrogated over the alleged transfer of funds to Sylva for purported coup financing.

Reacting to the reports, Bokoru dismissed any suggestion of Sylva’s involvement, describing the allegations as politically motivated.

“Chief Timipre Sylva remains a committed democrat and supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. These rumours are the handiwork of political opponents trying to tarnish his image ahead of 2027,” Bokoru stated.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has come under intense criticism after attending the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Dubai with his two sons, who were reportedly listed as official delegates.

Photos and videos from the event showed Wike’s sons wearing delegate tags; a development that sparked outrage online, with many Nigerians accusing the minister of using public funds for a family trip.

The summit, which gathered city leaders and government representatives from across the world, was meant to promote urban development partnerships.

However, the sight of Wike’s sons participating as delegates quickly turned the conversation to allegations of nepotism and misuse of public resources.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the controversy deepened after Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, mocked critics on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “When e reach your turn, carry your enemies travel.”

The statement angered many Nigerians, who saw it as a dismissive response to genuine questions about accountability in public office.

One user, @iOccupyNigeria, expressed outrage, questioning Wike’s justification for bringing his sons to a Mayors’ Conference:

“Wike no be governor, no be mayor. He be Minister of FCT, yet carry him children go Dubai as delegates. Na public money dem use fly go. Who born that kind impunity?”

Others echoed similar sentiments. User @MMBaloo slammed Olayinka, saying he was defending the indefensible: “I’m sure you’ll be running errands for those kids instead of working.”

Many social media users also linked the incident to a growing culture of political entitlement in Nigeria. @Real_me_Abdul wrote, “You are watching your resources being spent on father and sons who’ll later rule over you. And you still clap for them. Think about your life, bro.”

@BigOnukwugha also noted that Wike’s action undermines the civil service: “When ministers replace career officials with family members at international events, it weakens institutional growth and professionalism.”

Another user, @rollinsonwali, criticized the broader government attitude: “They mock the people funding their lifestyle, then still tax them to maintain it. It’s sad and wicked.”

The backlash has since spread across X and Facebook, where users accuse Wike of copying what they call the “Tinubu family-style of governance,” referencing the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, who is often seen at official events.

The outrage intensified after Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, posted on Facebook, questioning the boy’s presence at a government meeting. Fayose wrote, “What is Wike’s son doing in a meeting of the directors of the Ministry of Aviation and the FCT?”

That post went viral, with users accusing Wike of grooming his children for political roles. Comments ranged from “He’s learning from Jagaban” to “Catch them young politics.”

However, despite the backlash, neither Wike nor the Ministry of the FCT has issued an official response on whether public funds were used for the Dubai trip.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has disclosed that the agency arrested 45,853 suspects and secured 9,263 convictions in the last two and a half years.

Marwa made the revelation on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, during an awards ceremony held at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja. The event honoured 220 officers for exceptional performance, while 15 senior officials were decorated with new ranks.

In his address, Marwa commended NDLEA personnel for their commitment to the fight against illicit drugs, saying their efforts have greatly advanced the government’s renewed hope agenda.

“Your commitment to the renewed hope agenda of the administration of President Tinubu has yielded tremendous results in the past 30 months on our two major planks of drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction, leading to 45,853 arrests; seizure of over 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs; and conviction of 9,263 offenders,” Marwa said.

He also noted that 26,613 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated in NDLEA facilities across the country, while 9,848 sensitisation campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative were carried out in schools, workplaces, markets, and communities.

Marwa described the fight against drug trafficking as “monumental,” warning that drug abuse fuels crime, terrorism, and social instability. He added that the agency’s reward system was designed to keep officers motivated and focused on integrity, sacrifice, and hard work.

He also expressed gratitude to local and international partners, including the UNODC, INL, UK Border Force, and the governments of France and Germany, for their continuous support.

“We are optimistic that this support will continue, enabling us to fulfil our mandate of making Nigeria a drug-free country,” Marwa said.