By Deborah Nnamdi
Fresh indications have emerged that the Nigerian military has arrested an additional 15 officers of various ranks in connection with an alleged coup plot against the Federal Government, bringing the total number of detained personnel to over 40.
Security sources said that the latest arrests followed crucial confessions obtained during the interrogation of the initial 16 officers earlier taken into custody. The detained officers reportedly revealed the expected roles of the newly arrested personnel in what investigators have described as a “grand plot.”
According to the sources, security agencies are now analysing communication exchanges among the suspects, raising the likelihood of further arrests as the probe deepens.
Investigations confirmed that the first group of 16 officers in custody cuts across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and includes: one Brigadier General, one Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, one Lieutenant Commander, one Squadron Leader, and one Lieutenant.
The officers were identified as:
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 the suspects, sources revealed, are drawn from the Infantry Corps, Signals Corps, and Ordnance Corps.
Funds Traced to Former Governor, Minister
Insiders disclosed that investigators have uncovered a financial trail linking a large sum of money to the suspected network behind the alleged coup plot. The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other agencies are said to have traced the funds to a former state governor who also served as a minister of state.
Sources further revealed that the detained officers have been cooperating with investigators, providing details of their recruitment and intended roles in the alleged conspiracy.
Although the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has yet to comment on the latest arrests, sources said the military high command is keeping the development tightly guarded pending the conclusion of investigations.
The new arrests come about three weeks after the DHQ confirmed that 16 officers had been detained for what it described as “acts of indiscipline” and violations of military regulations.
Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, had stated then that the arrests were the result of a routine military exercise and that the affected officers had expressed grievances over stalled promotions and career stagnation.
“Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offenses, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service,” Gusau said at the time.
He assured that the officers would face full disciplinary procedures upon completion of investigations, stressing that the action was part of efforts to maintain discipline and loyalty within the armed forces.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will not tolerate any behaviour that undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority,” Gusau emphasized.
He reiterated that the military remains fully committed to professionalism, constitutional responsibility, and the defense of Nigeria’s democracy.
