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 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Bola Tinubu of encouraging impunity by favouring individuals with questionable records while sidelining Nigerians who have served the country with integrity.

Naija News reports that PDP made this claim after President Tinubu withdrew the pardon earlier granted to 175 convicts, including drug traffickers, kidnappers and fraudsters, following public outrage that trailed the initial clemency list released on October 11.

The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, in an interview with Punch on Wednesday, said that the confusion over the list exposes the disorganisation within President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Osadolor stated, “This back and forth over the list of pardoned offenders further amplifies the level of disorganization within the ranks of the presidential aides and the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in general. These policy somersaults, which have continued to affect and turn the lives of ordinary Nigerians upside down, are also evident in the handling of this particular list.

“It is as though, one moment a decision is made in the morning, another is reversed in the afternoon, and by evening, the same decision is reviewed again. This back and forth is unacceptable. A well-thought-out policy process should not be subjected to such public ridicule and confusion as we are witnessing now.

“Again, this situation reflects where the steadfast loyalty of the President and his aides lies. It appears misplaced. While the government should be focusing on identifying and punishing hardened criminals, it seems instead to be protecting or rehabilitating them.

“Meanwhile, millions of soldiers who lost their lives defending Nigeria, and those who fought during the civil war, as well as nationalists and patriots such as environmentalist and humanitarian activists like Ken Saro-Wiwa, remain unrecognized and uncelebrated. Yet, known gunrunners, drug peddlers, murderers, and assassins are being pardoned or having their convictions reduced. The President is pardoning individuals previously convicted of heinous crimes, after initially granting them amnesty. Even with the outcry from well-meaning Nigerians, this would have been a disaster and a slap in the face of justice and national integrity.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Bola Tinubu of encouraging impunity by favouring individuals with questionable records while sidelining Nigerians who have served the country with integrity.

Naija News reports that PDP made this claim after President Tinubu withdrew the pardon earlier granted to 175 convicts, including drug traffickers, kidnappers and fraudsters, following public outrage that trailed the initial clemency list released on October 11.

The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, in an interview with Punch on Wednesday, said that the confusion over the list exposes the disorganization within President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Osadolor stated, “This back and forth over the list of pardoned offenders further amplifies the level of disorganization within the ranks of the presidential aides and the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in general. These policy somersaults, which have continued to affect and turn the lives of ordinary Nigerians upside down, are also evident in the handling of this particular list.

“It is as though, one moment a decision is made in the morning, another is reversed in the afternoon, and by evening, the same decision is reviewed again. This back and forth is unacceptable. A well-thought-out policy process should not be subjected to such public ridicule and confusion as we are witnessing now.

“Again, this situation reflects where the steadfast loyalty of the President and his aides lies. It appears misplaced. While the government should be focusing on identifying and punishing hardened criminals, it seems instead to be protecting or rehabilitating them.

“Meanwhile, millions of soldiers who lost their lives defending Nigeria, and those who fought during the civil war, as well as nationalists and patriots such as environmentalist and humanitarian activists like Ken Saro-Wiwa, remain unrecognized and uncelebrated. Yet, known gunrunners, drug peddlers, murderers, and assassins are being pardoned or having their convictions reduced. The President is pardoning individuals previously convicted of heinous crimes, after initially granting them amnesty. Even with the outcry from well-meaning Nigerians, this would have been a disaster and a slap in the face of justice and national integrity.

“These trends and misplaced priorities reflect a troubling regionalization of governance and a disregard for national cohesion. One wonders where the loyalty of the President, his aides, and his government truly lies, is it to serve the Nigerian people or to protect elements working against the nation’s progress?”

The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader urged President Tinubu to resign if he cannot effectively manage the country’s affairs.

He continued, “Some of these individuals, rumoured to be his friends or associates from past affiliations, appear to benefit unduly from government decisions.

“Nigeria is too great a country to be subjected to this kind of endless experimentation with the lives, emotions, and livelihoods of its people.

“Just as the government has wavered in addressing insecurity, food scarcity, and economic instability, its policies have remained inconsistent and ill-conceived. I would advise the President: it is neither a crime nor a shame to step aside. Even if he completes only one term, he will still be respected globally as a former President of Nigeria.

“On this note, I urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to search his conscience. If he truly means well for Nigerians, this is the time to step aside honourably. Let him not wait for Nigerians to vote him out of power, because by then, he may not even be in full control of the process.”

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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.