𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐥𝐯𝐚’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭

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 Sylva’s 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 minister’s 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 “politically exposed persons” suspected of having knowledge of or involvement in subversive activities against the state.

“The investigation is ongoing, and certain intelligence leads pointed toward Mr Sylva and a few others,” 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 minister’s 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.