Military Confirms Officers Plotted Against Tinubu Government
DHQ Admits Some Officers Plotted to Overthrow Tinubu Government
Investigation Concludes, Military Judicial Trials to Follow
THE Defence Headquarters has acknowledged for the first time that certain officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces were involved in an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The confirmation came in a statement issued by Brigadier General Samaila Uba, spokesperson of the DHQ, which said the investigation into the matter had been completed and forwarded to higher military authorities.
From ‘Indiscipline’ to Coup Allegations
When the arrests were first announced in October 2025, the military stated that 16 officers were being investigated for indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. However, reports at the time indicated that the arrests were linked to an alleged coup plot.
Fourteen of the officers are from the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two are drawn from the Navy and Air Force. Media investigations later revealed that more suspects, including civilians, were detained as the probe expanded.
Military Confirms Serious Allegations
In its latest statement, the DHQ confirmed that the investigation uncovered evidence linking some of the officers to plans to overthrow the government.
“The findings identified a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” the military said, describing the conduct as inconsistent with the professional standards expected of service personnel.
Arraignment Before Military Panels
The Defence Headquarters announced that officers found to have cases to answer would be tried before appropriate military judicial panels, in line with the Armed Forces Act.
It added that the disciplinary process would adhere strictly to principles of fairness and due process.
Reassurance on Loyalty and Stability
The military emphasized that the trials are part of its internal disciplinary framework and not a political process.
It reassured Nigerians of the armed forces’ commitment to constitutional authority, professionalism and national stability, stressing that loyalty to the democratic order remains non-negotiable.
