Coup Plot: ‘I Am Embarrassed’ — VDM Slams DIA’s Interrogation of Suspected 76-Year-Old Retired General

Popular Nigerian social media critic and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has criticised the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over the interrogation of a 76-year-old retired military officer accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot.

VDM’s reaction followed the circulation of a classified 30-minute interrogation video showing the questioning of retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, who was arrested in 2025 over allegations of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The leaked footage has generated widespread public interest and debate.

Sharing clips from the interrogation on his Instagram page, VDM expressed disappointment with the agency’s handling of the investigation. He argued that the interrogation appeared weak and unconvincing, claiming that the military had failed to present sufficient evidence linking the retired general to any coup plot. He further called for Gana’s release.

In the video sighted by NAIJAONPOINT, Gen. Gana repeatedly denied any knowledge of, or involvement in, plans to overthrow the government.

According to him, investigators linked him to the alleged plot after tracing a N2 million transfer to his account and discovering that he had shared a WhatsApp message containing a speech from the 1983 military coup.

The interrogation video had earlier been tendered as evidence before a Federal High Court in Abuja during the trial of Gen. Gana and two other defendants. While two junior military officers reportedly admitted to having knowledge of the alleged plot, Gana maintained his innocence.

NAIJAONPOINT reports that the prolonged detention of the suspects and the secrecy surrounding the proceedings have continued to attract criticism from relatives and concerned Nigerians. Wives of some of the detained officers have demanded greater transparency, a public trial, and independent medical examinations for their husbands.

The release of the classified footage has further fuelled debate across social media platforms, with many Nigerians divided over the credibility of the evidence presented against the retired general and concerns about the protection of his fundamental human rights.