Tag: NIGERIA ARMY

Military officials are conducting an ongoing investigation into a recently thwarted alleged coup attempt targeting President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to various reports, 16 senior officers have been detained so far, with exclusive information pointing to their roles in the alleged plot. According to sources within the security sector, 14 of those detained serve in the Nigerian Army, while two others are from the Navy and Air Force, respectively. Among the army officers, 12 hail from the Infantry Corps, one from the Signals Corps, and one from the Ordnance Corps. The ranks of the detained personnel span a broad spectrum: one brigadier general, one colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and one lieutenant. The Navy’s detained officer holds the rank of lieutenant commander, and the Air Force officer is a squadron leader. So far, authorities have not released an official statement regarding the alleged coup plot. The only response has been a denial of any connection between the alleged conspiracy and the scaled-back Independence Day celebrations held on October 1. Among those detained, Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq stands out as a suspected ringleader. Sadiq, from Nasarawa State and a graduate of NDA Regular Course 44, was previously detained in 2024 under allegations of diverting relief materials and military equipment. Another notable figure is Colonel M.A. Ma’aji from Niger State, who is believed to have played a strategic planning role in the plot. Ma’aji, a graduate of the 47 Regular Course, formerly led the 19 Battalion in Ondo State and was part of Operation Delta Safe. The list of detained officers also includes Lt. Col S. Bappah (Signals Corps, Bauchi State), Lt. Col A.A. Hayatu (Infantry, Kaduna State), Lt. Col M. Almakura (Infantry, Nasarawa State), Majors A.J. Ibrahim, M.M. Jiddah, M.A. Usman, D. Yusuf, and I. Dauda, Captains Ibrahim Bello and A.A. Yusuf, Lt. S.S. Felix, Lt. Commander D.B. Abdullahi (Navy), and Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (Air Force). Sources indicate that interrogations are ongoing, but the specifics regarding the alleged roles and motives of those detained remain undisclosed to the public. Both the Defense Headquarters and the Presidency have, so far, refrained from commenting on the situation. Further updates are anticipated as the investigation continues to unfold and more details become available.

Northern civilian propagandists used the tools of psychological warfare and worked tirelessly to incite the northern military. In the Army's official history, General Gowon said "The northern politicians infiltrated the Northern soldiers and officers, trying to convince them that there was a need for them to retaliate." General Babangida put it this way: "There was a very calculated and subtle but very efficient and effective indoctrination of the Northern officers by civilians. They kept hammering on it that our leaders had been killed and we were doing nothing; that we were cowards."