Fresh revelations emerge as the Defence Headquarters releases the full list of 16 officers indicted over an alleged coup plot against President Tinubu. Click to read full details and background.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has officially released the full identities of 16 officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria indicted over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking a dramatic turn in a saga that first emerged as rumours on social media.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that a Special Investigative Panel set up by the military hierarchy has concluded its probe of the coup and found that several senior and mid-level officers have serious cases to answer.
According to the DHQ, the indicted officers will now face a military Court Martial in line with established procedures, as the Armed Forces move to protect discipline, cohesion, and operational integrity within its ranks.
DHQ Breaks Silence on Alleged Coup Plot
Major Gen. Uba explained that the coup investigation examined actions considered “inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards” expected of officers, stressing that the process was strictly internal and disciplinary.
He noted that the Armed Forces would not tolerate any conduct capable of undermining national security or constitutional authority, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen internal discipline.
FULL LIST REVEALED: 16 Officers Facing Court Martial
The DHQ released the full names, ranks, and service arms of the coup indicted personnel:
- Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq – Nasarawa (44th Regular Course)
- Colonel M. A. Ma’aji – Niger (47th Regular Course)
- Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah – Bauchi (56th Regular Course)
- Lieutenant Colonel A. A. Hayatu – Kaduna (56th Regular Course)
- Lieutenant Colonel Dangnan – Plateau (56th Regular Course)
- Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura – Nasarawa (56th Regular Course)
- Major A. J. Ibrahim – Gombe (56th Regular Course)
- Major M. M. Jiddah – Katsina (56th Regular Course)
- Major M. A. Usman – FCT (60th Regular Course)
- Major D. Yusuf – Gombe (59th Regular 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 – Nigerian Navy
- Squadron Leader S. B. Adamu – Nigerian Air Force
Most of the officers are drawn from the Infantry, Signals, and Ordnance Corps, spanning the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
From Rumours to Reshuffle: How the Crisis Unfolded
In October 2025, social media was awash with reports of a planned coup against President Tinubu’s administration. The DHQ initially dismissed the claims as false and misleading, urging Nigerians to ignore what it called deliberate misinformation.
However, weeks later, President Tinubu announced a major reshuffle of the Armed Forces leadership, a move now widely viewed as part of broader internal reforms following intelligence assessments.
Tinubu’s Bold Security Reset
In the shake-up:
General Olufemi Oluyede replaced General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff
Major-General W. Shaibu became Chief of Army Staff
Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke emerged as Chief of Air Staff
Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumed office as Chief of Naval Staff
Only Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, retained his post
The presidency said the changes were aimed at strengthening national security architecture amid evolving threats.
Military Moves to Protect Democracy
With the indictment list now public, the DHQ insists the Armed Forces remain loyal to constitutional authority and democratic governance, assuring Nigerians that due process will be followed.
As the Court Martial process begins, the unfolding events mark one of the most serious internal disciplinary actions in Nigeria’s military in recent years.
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