By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Nigerian military has established a special panel to investigate around 20 officers who were detained over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to a report by Sahara Reporters, 16 officers, including a brigadier general and a colonel, were initially arrested in late September after intelligence suggested they were holding secret meetings and expressing dissatisfaction with the government.
“The report is true,” a military source familiar with the situation confirmed to Premium Times after the publication. “More have been picked up since the initial arrests.”
The source further disclosed that the detained officers allegedly planned a violent coup, with some high-ranking government officials reportedly marked for assassination.
“The alleged coup plotters had tentatively picked a date for the coup and were continuing consultations when the plot leaked.”
“The coup plot caused panic in government after it was leaked because the military high command had repeatedly assured the government of the military’s loyalty to the administration and civil authorities,” the officer told the newspaper.
“Out of that panic, the government cancelled the National Independence Day parade on October 1, because it was a military ceremony and they did not want to take any risk.”
The source added that an investigative panel had been constituted to examine what the authorities described as “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
While the composition of the panel remains undisclosed, sources said it includes representatives from the army, air force, navy, police, and the State Security Service. The panel is believed to have been meeting over the past week, although its exact location has not been revealed.
Although the Defence Headquarters has not directly confirmed any coup plot, its spokesperson, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, stated on 4 October that “sixteen officers were being investigated for indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
However, several military insiders confirmed to Premium Times that the arrests were linked to a suspected plan to remove President Tinubu from power.
“The intelligence pointed to plans to destabilise the government,” one official explained. “Some officers were reportedly holding meetings to discuss a possible takeover.”
The development came barely a year after some Nigerians, frustrated by worsening economic hardship, had called for a military intervention. It also coincided with a recent coup in Madagascar, marking the ninth military takeover in Africa since 2020.
“Apart from the Guard of Honour at the airport, there have been no major parades since the alleged plot was uncovered,” another officer revealed.
The detained officers are currently being held at an undisclosed military facility in Abuja.
According to Brigadier-General Gusau, preliminary findings suggest the detained officers’ grievances were rooted in “career stagnation and failure in promotion examinations.”
Mr Gusau has yet to respond to messages sent by Premium Times seeking his comment on the alleged coup plot.
However, in his earlier 4 October statement, he maintained that, “Upon completion of investigation, indicted officers will face the full military disciplinary process in accordance with established procedures to ensure accountability and preserve professionalism within the Armed Forces.”
Premium Times