Alleged Coup – Military Submits Report to Tinubu
Alleged Coup – Military Submits Report to Tinubu
The Nigerian military has officially submitted its investigative report to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding 16 detained officers previously linked to an alleged coup plot.
While the military high command originally characterized the arrests as issues of “indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” new details from Presidential sources suggest the threat was considered “real” by investigators.
The report is the culmination of a two-month probe by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). The investigation covered a diverse group of officers, including a Brigadier-General and a Colonel, mostly from the Army’s frontline Infantry Corps.
This period of uncertainty was marked by the high-profile cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day Parade, which many observers believe was a direct result of these security concerns.
According to a highly placed source at the Presidential Villa, the report explicitly confirms that the detained officers intended to carry out a plot.
The investigation revealed that the most senior officer involved, Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, was allegedly picked up for being aware of the plot without reporting it. The military, however, has maintained a narrative focused on grievances over “career stagnation” and “repeated failure in promotion examinations” to maintain institutional stability.
The identities of the 16 officers represent several branches of the military, including Signals and Ordnance. Brigadier-General Sadiq, the suspected leader of the group, has a history of command roles in Kano and Lagos, though he was also recently investigated for the alleged diversion of military supplies. Other key figures include Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, a strategist from the 19 Battalion, and several Lieutenant Colonels from the NDA’s 56 Regular Course.
Regarding the specific findings and potential consequences, a source privy to the investigation stated “All I can tell you is that the officers were indicted, and they will be sanctioned accordingly when the president gives his nod.” This confirmation suggests that regardless of whether the military labels the incident as “indiscipline” or a “coup attempt,” the legal weight of the indictment is significant.
The investigation also briefly extended into the political sphere, looking into whether a former governor from a southern state had financed the plot.
This led to a raid on the properties of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, though his representatives have vehemently denied any connection, labeling the attempts to link him to the plot as the work of desperate political opponents.
As President Tinubu reviews the DIA’s findings, the officers remain in custody, with some reports suggesting their health is deteriorating. The President’s final decision will determine if the indicted officers face a formal court-martial or administrative sanctions. This resolution is expected to be a defining moment for military discipline and democratic stability under the current administration.
