By John Umeh
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that investigations into the conduct of some senior and junior military officers uncovered evidence of an alleged attempt to overthrow the government, marking the first official acknowledgment of a coup-related allegation within the ranks.
In a statement issued on Monday, the DHQ disclosed that findings from a wide-ranging internal probe revealed that several officers have serious cases to answer over claims linked to a plot against constitutional authority.
The development follows the October 2025 arrest of 16 officers, whose ranks reportedly spanned from Captain to Brigadier General, over what was initially described as acts of indiscipline and violations of service rules.
At the time, reports by Sahara Reporters alleged that the officers were detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for holding clandestine meetings aimed at destabilising the government, a claim the military leadership had publicly dismissed as speculative and designed to stir public anxiety. The report also linked the alleged plot to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.
Responding then, the former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, insisted the matter was strictly an internal disciplinary issue, assuring Nigerians that due process was being followed and that an investigative panel had been constituted.
However, providing a fresh update on Monday, the new Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the investigation had now been concluded in line with established military procedures and that its findings were no longer preliminary.
According to Uba, the comprehensive review examined the conduct of the affected officers and established that some were involved in activities inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), including allegations related to plotting the overthrow of the government.
“The investigation report has been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations,” the statement said, adding that those indicted would be made to account for their actions.
Uba confirmed that the officers found culpable would be formally arraigned before relevant military judicial panels, where they will face trial under the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.
He stressed that the process would be guided by fairness, transparency, and due process, while ensuring discipline within the armed forces.
“The actions being taken are purely disciplinary and form part of the institutional safeguards designed to preserve order, discipline, and operational effectiveness,” Uba said.
He further reaffirmed the military’s commitment to constitutional governance, noting that the Armed Forces remain steadfast in upholding professionalism, loyalty, and respect for democratic authority.
The confirmation marks a significant shift from earlier denials and underscores the gravity with which the military is treating the allegations.
