ABUJA — The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that 16 military officers accused of indiscipline and alleged involvement in a coup plot will be tried before a military court martial following the conclusion of a high-level investigation.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, said the officers’ actions violated established service regulations and military ethics.
According to Uba, the Special Investigative Panel set up by the military thoroughly examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected officers and identified several of them as having “cases to answer,” including allegations of plotting to overthrow the government.
“The findings identified a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN),” the statement read.
The DHQ recalled that the arrest of the 16 officers was first made public in October 2025, following reports of acts of indiscipline and breaches of service conduct within the Armed Forces.
Uba said the investigation was conducted in strict adherence to military procedures and due process, and that the report had been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority for necessary action.
He emphasized that the disciplinary measures being taken were internal institutional mechanisms aimed at preserving discipline, cohesion, and operational effectiveness within the military ranks.
“The arraignment will proceed under the Armed Forces Act and other relevant service regulations to ensure fairness and justice,” he stated.
The Defence spokesman reaffirmed the military’s commitment to professionalism, constitutional order, and loyalty to Nigeria’s democratic government, assuring the public that the court martial proceedings will be transparent and guided by due process.
Sources identified the detained officers to include:
- Brigadier-General Musa Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course);
- Colonel M. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Course);
- Lt-Col S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th Course);
- Lt-Col A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th Course);
- Lt-Col Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Course);
- Lt-Col M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Course);
- Major A. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th Course);
- Major M. Jiddah (Katsina, 56th Course);
- Major M.A. Usman (FCT, 60th Course);
- Major D. Yusuf (Gombe, 59th Course);
- Major I. Dauda (Jigawa, DSSC 38);
- Captain I. Bello (DSSC 43);
- Captain A. Yusuf, Lieutenant S. Felix (DSSC);
- Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (Navy); and
- Squadron Leader S. Adamu (Air Force).
Most of the officers are reportedly from the Infantry, Signals, and Ordnance Corps.
Nigeria’s military has a sensitive history with coups, having experienced several between 1966 and 1993, making any allegations of a coup plot within the ranks a matter of national concern and institutional vigilance.
