Nigerian movie industry was thrown into unexpected anxiety during the week after news came out that actor, filmmaker and former chairperson of the Enugu state chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Stanley Amandi, had been arrested, alongside a number of serving military officers, over their alleged link to a failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government.
According to Saturday Beats, the actor was arrested in Enugu, and his family and friends initially thought he was arrested by the Department of State Services. However, the DSS later “officially wrote” to the family stating that he was in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency.
It was also gathered that the actor’s family had “reached out” to the DIA, asking for access for his wife, lawyer and medical doctor, especially because he is hypertensive.
According to findings cited by Premium Times, the actor is alleged to have been involved in the media and messaging side of the coup plot. Authorities suspect he was positioned as a propagandist to help shape public narratives that could justify or promote the unconstitutional takeover, making him a civilian collaborator in what officials describe as a serious national security breach.
Details of the alleged coup attempt first emerged months ago following quiet arrests within the military. However, deeper insight into how the operation was uncovered was later revealed in an investigative report by Premium Times.