The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that 16 officers of the Armed Forces indicted for acts of indiscipline and alleged coup plotting will be tried before a military court-martial.
The Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, saying the Special Investigative Panel set up to probe the officers had concluded its work and identified those with cases to answer.
According to the DHQ, the offences committed by the affected officers contravene established service regulations and professional standards.
Uba recalled that the Defence Headquarters had earlier, in October 2025, announced the arrest of the 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service rules.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that investigations into the matter have been concluded, and the report forwarded to the appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations,” the statement said.
He explained that the comprehensive investigation examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the personnel and uncovered allegations, including a plot to overthrow the government.
“The findings have identified a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement added.
The defence spokesman stressed that the measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of internal institutional mechanisms to preserve discipline, cohesion and operational effectiveness within the ranks.
He said the officers would be arraigned under the Armed Forces Act and other relevant service regulations to ensure fairness and due process.
“The Armed Forces reiterate that these measures are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks,” Uba said.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to professionalism, loyalty and respect for constitutional authority, assuring the public that due process and fairness would be strictly observed throughout the proceedings.
Sources disclosed that the officers in custody include Brigadier General Musa Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course); Colonel M. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Course); Lt.-Col S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th Course); Lt.-Col A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th Course); Lt.-Col Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Course); and Lt.-Col M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Course).
Others are Major A. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th Course); Major 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. Yusuf; Lieutenant S. Felix (DSSC); Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi of the Navy; Squadron Leader S. Adamu of the Air Force.
Most of the affected officers, sources said, belong to the Infantry Corps, Signals Corps and Ordnance Corps.
The DHQ had announced their arrest in October 2025, stating that investigations were carried out in line with established military procedures and extant regulations.
Nigeria’s history of repeated military coups between 1966 and 1993 has made allegations of coup plotting a highly sensitive national issue.
Elijah Adeyemi
