139
By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has concluded investigations into sixteen military officers arrested in October 2025 over alleged acts of indiscipline, including claims of plotting to overthrow the Federal Government.
In a statement issued on Monday, January 26, 2026, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed that the investigation report has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities in line with extant military regulations.
According to the DHQ, findings from the probe revealed that some of the officers engaged in activities deemed inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), including allegations bordering on attempts to undermine constitutional authority.
“The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel. The findings have identified a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the AFN,” the statement read.
The Defence Headquarters added that officers found to have cases to answer would be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels for trial under the Armed Forces Act and other relevant service laws.
Indicted Officers as listed in the report include:
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 (Federal Capital Territory, 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)
The DHQ noted that most of the officers are drawn from the Infantry, Signals and Ordnance Corps of the Armed Forces.
In October 2025, reports of an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration circulated widely on social media. At the time, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the claims as “false and misleading,” urging Nigerians to disregard what it described as misinformation spread by enemies of the state.
Subsequently, President Tinubu announced a reshuffle of the leadership of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.