Fresh information has revealed that the military has apprehended 15 more officers of different ranks over an alleged coup plot against the Federal Government, increasing the total number of detained officers to over 40.
According to sources, the new arrests followed disclosures made during the interrogation of the first 16 officers already in custody. The detained officers reportedly revealed the intended roles of the newly arrested personnel in what investigators have described as a “grand plot.”
The sources further indicated that security agencies are currently analysing communication records among the suspects, suggesting that more arrests may occur as investigations continue.
Findings confirmed that the initial group of 16 detained officers comprises the following ranks:
1 Brigadier General
1 Colonel
4 Lieutenant Colonels
5 Majors
2 Army Captains
1 Lieutenant Commander (Navy)
1 Squadron Leader (Air Force)
1 Army Lieutenant
The identified officers are:
Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course)
Colonel M.A. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Course)
Lt Col S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th Course)
Lt Col A.A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th Course)
Lt Col Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Course)
Lt Col M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Course)
Major A.J. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th Course)
Major M.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.A. Yusuf
Lieutenant S.S. Felix (DSSC)
Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (Navy)
Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (Air Force)
Most of these officers, sources revealed, belong to the Infantry Corps, Signals Corps, and Ordnance Corps.
Insiders disclosed that investigators have traced a significant amount of money to a network believed to be behind the alleged plot. The collaboration between the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other relevant agencies reportedly linked the funds to a former governor who also once served as a minister of state.
According to sources, the detained officers have been cooperating with investigators by providing detailed accounts of their recruitment processes and the roles they were expected to perform.
Although the Defence Headquarters has yet to release an official statement regarding the latest arrests, reports suggest that the military is deliberately keeping the matter confidential until investigations are concluded.
This development comes three weeks after the Defence Headquarters confirmed that 16 officers had been detained for “acts of indiscipline” and breaches of service regulations.
Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, explained at the time that the arrests were a result of a routine military operation. He noted that the officers’ grievances stemmed from stagnation in their careers and repeated failures in promotion examinations.
“Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service,” Gusau stated.
He further noted that the officers would undergo full military disciplinary procedures once investigations are completed, emphasising that the process aims to preserve discipline, order, and loyalty within the armed forces.
“The armed forces will not tolerate any behaviour that undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority,” he said.
Gusau reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain steadfast in their commitment to their constitutional duties and professional standards.
