By Seyi Odewale
The Nigerian Armed Forces has officially confirmed that its internal investigation uncovered evidence of a failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, with several serving officers now set to face military trial.
The confirmation came on Monday in a statement signed by Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, who disclosed that investigations into the case involving 16 officers have been concluded and that the final report has been submitted to the appropriate superior authority.
According to the statement, the probe — conducted in line with established military procedures — identified a number of the officers as being linked to allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, actions described as inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“Those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations,” Uba said.
He added that the measures being taken are strictly disciplinary and part of institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks, stressing that the Armed Forces remain loyal to constitutional authority.
Tie-back: From denials to confirmation
The development marks a significant shift from the military’s earlier position following the October 2025 arrest of 16 officers, when the Defence Headquarters initially described the matter as routine internal discipline and dismissed reports of a coup plot.
At the time, both the military and the Presidency publicly denied any attempt to overthrow the government, even as online and investigative media reported that the arrests were connected to an alleged plan to unseat President Tinubu.
Subsequent investigations by independent outlets, including Premium Times and SaharaReporters, named some of the detained officers as senior figures across the Army, Navy and Air Force. Those reported to be under investigation included Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq and Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, among others.
The alleged plot was also linked to heightened security measures around Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations on October 1, 2025, when the traditional military parade was scaled down amid what sources described as intelligence alerts.
Public reaction and rights concerns
The prolonged detention of the officers without formal charges sparked public debate and concern among civil society groups, lawyers and rights advocates.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) had earlier called on the military to either release the officers or formally arraign them, warning that indefinite detention without trial violated fundamental principles of justice and due process.
On social media, many Nigerians expressed anxiety over the implications of coup allegations in a country with a long history of military interventions in politics, despite over two decades of uninterrupted democratic rule.
Nigeria has not experienced a successful coup since the return to civilian rule in 1999, making the military’s confirmation of a failed plot one of the most serious internal security disclosures in recent years.
For months, the gap between official denials and investigative reporting fuelled speculation about the true nature of the arrests. Major General Uba’s statement now represents the first formal acknowledgement by the Defence Headquarters that the case indeed involved an alleged attempt to subvert constitutional authority.
With the investigation concluded and arraignments imminent, the Armed Forces says the matter will now be handled strictly within the framework of military law, as it seeks to reinforce discipline, professionalism and loyalty within its ranks.
