…List of coup plotters, states of origin
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that the Special Investigative Panel constituted to probe 16 senior officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces over allegations of indiscipline and other serious service breaches has concluded its work, with the affected officers now set to face a military court martial.
The announcement comes three months after the military hierarchy and the Federal Government denied the alleged plot to topple President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
Military experts told Naija Daily News that it was troubling that all the prominent figures listed as masterminds of the coup hail from the northern part of the country.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, who confirmed the latest development, disclosed on Monday in a statement issued in Abuja, that investigation was conducted in line with established military procedures and extant regulations.
Recall that the Defence Headquarters had in October 2025 announced the arrest of the officers following intelligence reports alleging acts of indiscipline, conduct unbecoming of officers and other violations of military ethics.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the probe has now been completed after a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.
Major General Uba said the panel identified a number of officers with cases to answer, including allegations bordering on plotting to overthrow the government. He described such actions as completely inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards expected of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He stressed that the measures being taken are purely disciplinary and form part of internal institutional mechanisms aimed at preserving discipline, cohesion and operational effectiveness within the military.
Uba further reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to professionalism, loyalty and respect for constitutional authority, assuring Nigerians that due process and fairness would be strictly observed throughout the court martial proceedings.
Beyond the disciplinary dimension, the case has assumed a geopolitical significance, as all 16 officers are reported to be from the northern part of the country, according to security sources.
Analysts note that while the military statement did not allude to regional role in the alleged coup, the development has sparked quiet conversations around regional balance, civil–military relations and the need for transparency in handling sensitive internal security matters in a multi-ethnic federation.
Naija Daily News gathered that the officers cut across the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.
They include Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, from Nasarawa State, of the 44th Regular Course; Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, from Niger State, of the 47th Regular Course; Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah, from Bauchi State, 56th Regular Course; Lieutenant Colonel A.A. Hayatu, from Kaduna State, 56th Regular Course; Lieutenant Colonel Dangnan, from Plateau State, 56th Regular Course; and Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura, from Nasarawa State, 56th Regular Course.
Others are Major A.J. Ibrahim, from Gombe State, 56th Regular Course; Major M.M. Jiddah, from Katsina State, 56th Regular Course; Major M.A. Usman, from the Federal Capital Territory, 60th Regular Course; Major D. Yusuf, from Gombe State, 59th Regular Course; and Major I. Dauda, from Jigawa State, Direct Short Service Course 38.
Also listed are Captain I. Bello, of the Direct Short Service Course 43; Captain A.A. Yusuf; Lieutenant S.S. Felix, of the Direct Short Service Course; Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi of the Nigerian Navy; and Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu of the Nigerian Air Force.
Sources disclosed that most of the officers are drawn from the Infantry Corps, Signals Corps and Ordnance Corps — formations regarded as critical to command, communications and logistics within the military. The decision to subject them to court martial, according to defence insiders, reflects the Armed Forces’ zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline and any conduct capable of undermining national security or democratic governance.
The Defence Headquarters said the outcome of the court martial would be officially communicated in line with military regulations, as the armed forces seek to reinforce internal discipline while maintaining public confidence at a time of heightened security challenges across the country.
List of alleged coup plotters, state of origin and courses
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)
