๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ฉ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐โ๐ฌ ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ญ
Tension gripped parts of Abuja and Yenagoa on Tuesday as security operatives reportedly raided the homes of former Bayelsa State governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, over alleged links to a coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency.
According to multiple sources, heavily armed soldiers stormed Sylvaโs Abuja residence in the early hours of the day, conducting a search that lasted several hours before extending the operation to his Yenagoa mansion. His younger brother was said to have been detained during the raid, while the former ministerโs current whereabouts remain unclear.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Sylva may have left the country shortly before the raids commenced, though neither the military nor his media aides have issued any official statement.
A top security source disclosed that the exercise was part of a broader clampdown on โpolitically exposed personsโ suspected of having knowledge of or involvement in subversive activities against the state.
โThe investigation is ongoing, and certain intelligence leads pointed toward Mr Sylva and a few others,โ the source hinted, adding that the Defence Intelligence Agency was working with other national security organs to verify the claims.
Efforts by Newstelly to reach the former ministerโs spokesperson proved abortive as calls and messages were not returned as of press time.
The former governor, who served as Minister of State for Petroleum between 2019 and 2023, has largely maintained a low profile since losing his 2023 Bayelsa governorship bid.
Observers note that the development could signal widening political rifts in the Niger Delta, even as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to quell speculations of discontent within the security establishment.
