By Our Correspondent
The Nigerian military has submitted the report of its investigation into alleged acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations involving 16 detained officers to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Daily Trust has learned.
Reliable security and Presidency sources confirmed that the report was forwarded to the President after over two months of detailed interrogation and investigation carried out by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
In October last year, Sahara Reporters had alleged that the officers, whose ranks range from Captain to Brigadier-General, were arrested and detained by the DIA over an alleged plot to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration. At the time, both the Defence Headquarters and the Presidency denied that any coup attempt had taken place, despite public speculation linking the arrests to President Tinubu’s cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day Parade.
A source familiar with the probe told Daily Trust that the investigation has now been concluded and the report formally submitted to the President. According to the source, the President’s decision on the report will determine the next course of action.
“The officers assigned to investigate the alleged involvement of the detained personnel have completed their assignment and submitted their findings to the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” the source said.
Speaking on the outcome of the investigation, the source added that the officers were indicted and would face sanctions once presidential approval is granted.
“I cannot say whether they will be court-martialed, but disciplinary measures will be taken in line with established military procedures,” the source stated.
Already another senior source at the Presidential Villa also confirmed that President Tinubu had been briefed on the findings of the investigation.
“The military authorities informed Mr. President that the coup attempt was real. The report established that the detained officers attempted to carry out what was earlier reported by the media,” the source said.
The source further disclosed that the Brigadier-General among the suspects was arrested after investigations showed that he had prior knowledge of the plot but failed to report it.
Efforts to obtain official reactions from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and the Special Adviser on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to them were not returned.
It was also learned that a former governor from one of the southern states was investigated over allegations of financing the alleged coup plot. On October 29, soldiers reportedly raided the Abuja and Yenagoa residences of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, during which his brother was arrested. However, Sylva’s media aide, Julius Bokoru, dismissed the allegations, describing attempts to link the former governor to the plot as “sickening” and the handiwork of “desperate politicians.”
Another military source revealed that the health conditions of some of the detained officers had reportedly worsened while in custody.
Previously, the military high command, through its former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, had stated on October 4, 2025, that the arrest of the 16 officers was strictly related to issues of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
Gusau explained that the officers’ complaints were largely connected to perceived stagnation in their careers, particularly repeated failures in promotion examinations and other service-related grievances. He maintained that the arrests were routine disciplinary measures intended to preserve professionalism, loyalty, and discipline within the Armed Forces.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, had dismissed reports of a coup plot, insisting that the government aligned with the military’s official position at the time.
Profiles of the detained officers include one Brigadier-General, a Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, a Lieutenant, a Lieutenant Commander from the Nigerian Navy, and a Squadron Leader from the Nigerian Air Force.
Investigations showed that 12 of the officers are from the Infantry Corps, while others are drawn from the Signals Corps, Ordnance Corps, the Navy, and the Air Force.
The Brigadier-General, Musa Abubakar Sadiq, an infantry officer from Nasarawa State, is believed to be the leader of the alleged plot. He was previously detained in 2024 over allegations relating to diversion of palliatives and the sale of military equipment.
Other officers named in the report include Colonel M. A. Ma’aji; Lieutenant Colonels S. Bappah, A. A. Hayatu, and M. Al-Makura; several Majors from the Infantry and Ordnance Corps; as well as officers from the Navy and the Air Force.
Meanwhile, the Concerned Pro-Democratic Activists of Nigeria have urged the Federal Government to ensure that the detained officers receive adequate medical attention.
Addressing a press conference in Lafia, Nasarawa State, the group’s chairman, Yusuf Musa Dauda, expressed worry over reports that some of the detainees were seriously ill and denied access to their families.
While condemning any attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government, the group appealed to authorities to either release the officers if no case is established against them or arraign them in court in accordance with due process.
