The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has formally confirmed that there was an attempt by some military officers to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The confirmation came on Monday in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, who said investigations carried out by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) had uncovered credible evidence linking some personnel to the plot.
Uba said the investigations, conducted in line with established military procedures, had been concluded and the report forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) 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 read.
“The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.
“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 AFN.
“Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations. This ensures accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process.”
Uba added that actions being taken against the affected officers were “purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks.”
He further said the armed forces remained committed to maintaining the “highest standards of professionalism, loyalty and respect for constitutional authority.”
Background
The confirmation follows months of controversy that began in October 2025 when the Federal Government abruptly cancelled the Independence Day parade scheduled for 1 October to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary.
Soon after, reports emerged linking the cancellation to an alleged coup attempt. At the time, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the claims, insisting that the cancellation had nothing to do with any plot and that the arrest of some officers was unrelated.
On 31 October 2025, it was reported that 16 military officers were arrested in the first week of October over the alleged coup attempt, while two others were said to be on the run.
The Defence Headquarters and the Presidency repeatedly denied that any coup attempt took place.
Submission of Report
However, fresh details emerged on Monday as Daily Trust reported that the military had submitted the report of its investigation to President Tinubu.
Credible security and Presidency sources told the newspaper that the report was handed over to the President after more than two months of investigations carried out by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
A source privy to the investigation told Daily Trust: “Those who were tasked to investigate the involvement of the officers have concluded their job, and they have submitted the report to the president who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”
Asked about the outcome of the investigation, the source said: “All I can tell you is that the officers were indicted, and they will be sanctioned accordingly when the president gives his nod. Although I don’t also know whether they will be court-martialled for the offence they might have committed, they will face sanctions in line with the military’s standard procedures.”
Another highly placed source at the Presidential Villa also confirmed that President Tinubu had been briefed.
“They (military authorities) briefed Mr President that it (the attempt to stage a coup) was real. The report clearly showed that there was an attempt by the detained officers to do what the media reported they planned to do,” the source said. “The Brigadier-General among them was picked because it was discovered that he was aware of the plot but did not report it.”
Earlier Denials
In earlier statements, the military had maintained that the arrested officers were being investigated for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
On 4 October 2025, the then Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, said: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, had dismissed reports of a coup plot during an interview on TVC News on 28 October.
“We are going to stick to the narrative of the military because they are the ones constitutionally empowered to secure this country,” Dare had said.
Officers Involved
The detained officers include a Brigadier-General, a Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, a Lieutenant, a naval Lieutenant Commander and an Air Force Squadron Leader.
Among them is Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq of the Infantry Corps, who is suspected to be the leader of the alleged plot, as well as Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, also of the Infantry Corps.
Others are Lt. Colonel S. Bappah of the Signals Corps, Lt. Colonel A. A. Hayatu, Lt. Colonel Dangnap, and Lt. Colonel M. Al-Makura, all of the Infantry Corps.
The list also includes Major A. J. Ibrahim, Major M. M. Jiddah, Major M. A. Usman, Major I. Dauda of the Infantry Corps, and Major D. Yusuf of the Ordnance Corps.
The investigation named the following junior officers: Captain Ibrahim Bello, Captain A. A. Yusuf, and Lieutenant S. S. Felix, all of the Nigerian Army.
From other services, the officers include Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi of the Nigerian Navy and Squadron Leader S. B. Adamu of the Nigerian Air Force.
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