At Last, DHQ Confirms Thwarted Coup Plot, 16 Officers Set for Martial Court

A Special Investigative Panel’s investigation into 16 officers charged with serious misconduct, including an alleged plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration, was completed on Monday by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

The personnel were first detained in October 2025, but a military court martial has been declared by Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, Director of Defense Information, in a statement released by Abuja.

According to the findings of the panel, the officers allegedly broke military rules and acted in a way that was incompatible with the armed forces of Nigeria’s professional ethics and values.

Uba claimed that the investigation complied with established military standards to ensure that every aspect of the personnel’s behavior was thoroughly examined.

He explained that the actions being taken were “purely disciplinary and part of internal institutional mechanisms to preserve discipline, cohesion, and operational effectiveness within the ranks.”

He reassured the public that fairness and professionalism would be strictly adhered to throughout the proceedings, and that the Armed Forces were committed to professionalism, loyalty, and respect for constitutional authority.

A Lieutenant, a Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, two Captains, a Lieutenant, a Lieutenant Commander from the Nigerian Navy, and a Squadron Leader from the Nigerian Air Force were among the detained officers.

Their names were given as follows:

(Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course) Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq

Nigerian 47th Course Colonel M. A. Ma’aji

Lt. Col. S. Bappah (56th Course, Bangkok)

Lt. Col. A. Hayatu (56th Course) at Kaduna

Lt. Col. Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Course)

Lt. Col. M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Course)

Major A. J. Ibrahim (56th Course, Gambogne)

Major M. M. Jiddah (Katsina, 56th Course)

Major M. A. Usman (FCT, 60th Course)

Major D. Yusuf (Gombe, 59th Course):

Major I. Dauda (DSSC 38) is a Jigawa.