The alleged coup plot against the Federal Government has taken a more alarming turn as security agencies arrest 15 additional military officers across various formations, bringing the total number of detained personnel to over 40.
Highly placed defence sources told Vanguard that the new wave of arrests followed confessions extracted from the initial 16 officers taken into custody earlier this month. Those under interrogation reportedly revealed the operational roles of the newly detained officers in what investigators described as a “grand and coordinated plot.”
According to the sources, security operatives are now analyzing communication records and electronic exchanges among the suspects, with early findings suggesting that more arrests may follow as the probe widens across the armed services.
Profiles of Initial Detainees
Investigations confirmed that the first group of 16 detained officers cuts across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. They include one Brigadier General, one Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, one Lieutenant Commander, one Squadron Leader, and one Lieutenant.
The officers were identified 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)
- Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (Air Force)
Sources noted that most of the officers hail from the Infantry, Signals, and Ordnance Corps — branches regarded as crucial in operational command and logistics.
Funds Linked to Political Figures
Investigators have reportedly traced substantial financial transfers connected to the suspected network behind the alleged plot. Collaboration among the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other intelligence bodies revealed that the funds originated from a former governor who also served as a minister of state, though his name remains withheld pending further verification.
“The money trail is one of the strongest leads we are pursuing,” a senior security official said. “It provides a clearer picture of external influences possibly fueling this internal dissent.”
The detained officers are said to be cooperating with investigators, providing insights into their recruitment channels and assigned responsibilities within the alleged scheme.
Defence Headquarters Yet to Comment
While the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has not issued an official statement on the latest arrests, insiders suggest that the military is keeping details under tight control pending completion of internal investigations.
The development follows an earlier confirmation three weeks ago by DHQ spokesperson Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who said 16 officers had been arrested for “acts of indiscipline” and violations of service regulations.
“At that time, some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting or undergoing trial,” Gusau explained. “Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service.”
He emphasized that all implicated officers would face full disciplinary procedures and reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ unwavering loyalty to democratic governance.
“The armed forces will not tolerate any behaviour that undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority,” Gusau stated.
Growing Tension in the Ranks
Military insiders describe the unfolding investigation as one of the largest internal security operations within the armed forces in recent years. Analysts believe the situation reflects growing frustration among some mid-level officers over stalled promotions, welfare issues, and perceived corruption within the hierarchy.
Despite this, the Defence Headquarters maintains that the Nigerian Armed Forces remain fully committed to professionalism, constitutional order, and national stability.
“This is not the first time the military has faced internal challenges,” one retired senior officer noted. “What matters is how the leadership handles it — firmly, transparently, and in a way that reassures both the ranks and the public.”
As the investigation continues, the coming days may reveal whether this alleged coup plot was an organized conspiracy or a deeper symptom of unrest within Nigeria’s military establishment.
