Fresh developments have emerged indicating that the Nigerian military has apprehended an additional 15 officers of various ranks in connection with an alleged coup plot against the Federal Government. The latest arrests bring the total number of detained officers to over 40.
According to sources who spoke with Vanguard, the new arrests were made following revelations obtained during the interrogation of the initial 16 officers earlier taken into custody. The detained personnel reportedly provided details of the roles the newly arrested officers were expected to play in what investigators described as a “grand plot.”
Security agencies are said to be analysing communication exchanges among the suspects, with indications that more arrests could follow as the investigation continues.
Investigations confirmed that the first set of 16 officers already in custody comprise:
- 1 Brigadier General
- 1 Colonel
- 4 Lieutenant Colonels
- 5 Majors
- 2 Army Captains
- 1 Lieutenant Commander (Navy)
- 1 Squadron Leader (Air Force)
- 1 Army Lieutenant
Their names were listed as:
Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course); Colonel M.A. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Course); Lt Col S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th Course); Lt Col A.A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th Course); Lt Col Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Course); Lt Col M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Course); Major A.J. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th Course); Major M.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.A. Yusuf; Lieutenant S.S. Felix (DSSC); Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (Navy); and Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (Air Force).
Most of the officers, sources disclosed, are drawn from the Infantry, Signals, and Ordnance Corps.
Investigators have reportedly traced substantial funds connected to the alleged plot to a network with ties to a former governor who also once served as a minister of state.
According to insiders, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies, uncovered the suspicious financial trail.
It was further gathered that the detained officers have been cooperating with investigators, providing details of their recruitment process and the roles they were assigned to play in the scheme.
Although the Defence Headquarters has yet to issue an official statement on the latest arrests, military sources said the matter is being kept confidential pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
The development comes three weeks after the Defence Headquarters confirmed the arrest of 16 officers for alleged “acts of indiscipline” and violations of service regulations.
At the time, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, explained that the arrests were part of a routine military exercise and were linked to grievances over career stagnation and repeated failures in promotion examinations.
“Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offenses, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service,” Gusau had said.
He emphasized that the officers would face full disciplinary procedures upon the conclusion of investigations, stressing that the exercise was aimed at maintaining discipline, loyalty, and order within the ranks.
“The Armed Forces will not tolerate any conduct that undermines its integrity or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority,” he added.
Brigadier General Gusau reaffirmed the military’s commitment to professionalism and adherence to its constitutional responsibilities.
