Military to Charge Officers in Alleged Coup Plot; President Tinubu Confident in Army’s Handling
Military to Charge Officers in Alleged Coup Plot; President Tinubu Confident in Army’s Handling
The Defence Headquarters announced on Monday that military personnel implicated in alleged misconduct, including a suspected plot to overthrow the government, will be brought before a military judicial panel for trial.
Sources within the security and military establishment revealed that President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence in the military’s capacity to handle the case internally.
This development follows appeals from a pro-democracy organization urging the government to ensure the health and welfare of officers detained in connection with the investigation.
In October 2025, the Defence Headquarters disclosed the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and violations of service regulations. Shortly thereafter, Sahara Reporters reported that officers ranging from Captain to Brigadier General, allegedly detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency, were involved in clandestine meetings aimed at toppling the government. The report also linked the plot to the cancellation of Nigeria’s October 1 Independence Day parade.
At the time, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau (retd), then the Director of Defence Information, dismissed the claims as an attempt to sow discord, emphasizing that the matter was an internal disciplinary issue. He assured the public that an investigative panel had been formed and that its findings would be made public.
On Monday, Major General Samaila Uba, the current Director of Defence Information, updated the situation, stating that a thorough investigation had been completed in line with military procedures. The report had been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority. Uba indicated that several officers had been identified as having committed acts inconsistent with the ethical standards of the Nigerian Armed Forces and that they now faced charges related to the alleged coup plot.
Security and military sources have also disclosed that the accused officers allegedly infiltrated the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with some identified as active service members. The plotters reportedly conducted surveillance of security installations, identifying vulnerabilities within the Villa’s defenses before their plans were uncovered.
The Presidential Villa, known as Aso Rock, is among Nigeria’s most secure facilities, protected by elite military units, intelligence operatives, and private security firms. However, intelligence reports in October 2025 flagged unusual activities around the premises and among staff members, prompting increased surveillance.
When asked if President Tinubu would intervene in the ongoing investigation, a security official responded, “No, the President will not interfere. The military is acting within its legal and procedural rights. The report confirms there was a planned coup, and the military will proceed accordingly.”
Meanwhile, the Concerned Pro-Democratic Activists of Nigeria, a rights group, has called on President Tinubu to consider releasing the detained officers, citing concerns over their health and the impact of prolonged detention. Speaking in Lafia, Nasarawa State, chairman Yusuf Dauda said some officers detained since October 2025 are reportedly suffering from serious illnesses due to lack of medical care.
Dauda also criticized the authorities for denying families access to the detainees, stating that relatives have been unable to visit or communicate with them since their arrest. While condemning any attempt to overthrow Nigeria’s democratically elected government, the group urged the government to either release the officers if no charges are pending or to arraign them in court. They expressed hope that their appeal will be duly considered.
