The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has formally confirmed the existence of an alleged coup plot aimed at destabilising the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, bringing months of speculation to a close and releasing the full list of 16 military officers indicted in connection with the case.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, the DHQ said a Special Investigative Panel concluded its work after several months of inquiry into allegations initially described as breaches of military discipline and service regulations. The panel’s findings, according to the military, established sufficient grounds to indict the officers for actions inconsistent with the ethics and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Those indicted cut across the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, spanning senior and mid-level ranks. The officers named include:
Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq; Colonel M. A. Ma’aji; Lieutenant Colonels S. Bappah, A. A. Hayatu, Dangnan and M. Almakura; Majors A. J. Ibrahim, M. M. Jiddah, M. A. Usman, D. Yusuf and I. Dauda; Captains I. Bello and A. A. Yusuf; Lieutenant S. S. Felix; Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi of the Nigerian Navy; and Squadron Leader S. B. Adamu of the Nigerian Air Force.
According to the DHQ, the officers were first detained in October 2025 as part of internal security and disciplinary investigations. While the military initially downplayed reports of a coup plot at the time, the latest statement confirms that the investigation uncovered actions linked to an alleged attempt to undermine constitutional authority.
The Defence Headquarters stressed that the process remains strictly disciplinary and judicial, noting that the case files have now been forwarded for further action in line with established military procedures. Officers found to have a case to answer are expected to face court-martial proceedings as prescribed by law.
Military authorities reiterated that the objective of the investigation is to preserve discipline, cohesion and operational effectiveness within the armed forces, and not to politicise the institution. The DHQ also assured Nigerians that the military remains loyal to the constitution and firmly committed to democratic governance.
The confirmation marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s civil-military relations, as the armed forces move publicly to address internal threats while reinforcing their role as a stabilising pillar of the country’s democracy.
