Brazilian police arrested five people on Tuesday suspected of participating in an alleged coup to murder then president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin, before they officially took office, police said.

The majority of the people being investigated in connection with the alleged plot are military personnel with Special Forces training, the police also said.

Reuters reported that retired Brigadier General Mario Fernandes was among those arrested. He previously worked as former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro's executive secretary.

"A detailed operational plan called 'Green and Yellow Dagger' was identified, which would be executed on December 15, 2022, aimed at the murder of the elected candidates for president and vice-president," the police said in a statement.