Coup controversy: Sylva’s brother, driver still in custody

Two persons arrested during a raid on the Abuja residence of former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, are still being held in custody.

The PUNCH earlier reported that operatives stormed Sylva’s residence on Saturday, October 25, 2025, arresting his younger brother, identified as Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, along with his driver.

 Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, was reportedly outside the country at the time of the operation.

Sources familiar with the incident said Sylva had planned to return to Nigeria but cancelled the trip upon learning that some alleged coup plotters had been arrested.

His Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru, in a statement last week, confirmed the raid on the ex-minister’s home but denied any involvement in an attempted coup and criticised the military for damaging his property.

Bokoru said some politicians had resorted to mischief because they perceived the former Bayelsa State governor as a major threat and obstacle to their ambitions.

Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday,  Bokoru, confirmed that the two men remained in custody.

Asked if the detainees had been freed, he said, “Not that I know of. As of last night (Saturday), they had not been released. I would have known if they were released.”

When asked why there had been no public demand for their release since no incriminating evidence was allegedly found at Sylva’s residence, Bokoru replied, “I believe some lawyers are on the matter already.”

The Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau had earlier stated on October 4 that 16 officers were detained for breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.

However, online platform SaharaReporters claimed that the officers, whose ranks reportedly range from Captain to Brigadier-General, are being held by the Defence Intelligence Agency for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, and that they were arrested at various locations across the country.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the Niger Delta, including former agitators, have warned against what they described as a campaign of calumny targeted at the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who is a former aide to Sylva.

The ex-agitators, under the aegis of the Critical Ex-agitators Stakeholders Coalition, made the call after an emergency meeting held in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Speaking after the meeting, the Pioneer National Secretary of the First Phase Ex-Agitators and spokesman of the coalition, Nature Kieghe, urged traditional rulers, political leaders, and other stakeholders in the region to rally round Ogbuku and resist attempts to destabilise the NDDC’s current leadership.

Kieghe said it was time for the Niger Delta to stop what he called “the pull-him-down syndrome,” noting that “a house divided against itself can never stand.”

He said Ogbuku remained the first NDDC managing director to introduce a needs assessment approach to project execution, ensuring that interventions directly addressed the priorities of host communities.

Highlighting some of Ogbuku’s achievements, Kieghe mentioned the Light Up Niger Delta project, which he said had improved security, curbed cultism and kidnapping, and enhanced socio-economic life in several rural communities.

“We cannot continue to fight ourselves and expect meaningful development,” Kieghe said. “These stones being thrown at Dr Samuel Ogbuku are uncalled for. This is the time for all Niger Delta leaders to support him and encourage the good work he is doing.”

He added that under Ogbuku’s leadership, contractors and vendors had been receiving payments as and when due, describing him as a prudent manager of resources.

“Some critics are simply envious because they could not achieve what the current MD is doing. The least we owe him is encouragement,” he said.

Kieghe commended Ogbuku for remaining focused despite what he called “unprovoked attacks from detractors,” and cautioned against attempts to undermine the commission’s progress.

He disclosed that in the third quarter of 2024 alone, the NDDC completed 311 projects across the nine Niger Delta states, including roads, bridges, housing facilities, renewable energy schemes, and water and electricity projects.

According to him, the commission has also expanded its Project HOPE youth empowerment scheme, revived its scholarship programme, and launched an agricultural revolution aimed at making the region a food hub.

“This is the first time in the history of the NDDC that almost every state has a befitting office complex for faster and more effective service delivery,” Kieghe said. “It has never happened before, and that is why we must rally round this man and support him.”

He urged Niger Delta leaders to resist external forces bent on sowing division and praised President Bola Tinubu for backing Ogbuku’s administration.

“Mr President, thank you for the support you have given to our brother and leader, Dr Samuel Ogbuku,” he said. “He has changed the narrative of the NDDC, and we appeal to you to continue to give him all the support he needs.”(Punch)