Nigerian military officers to face trial over alleged coup plot against Bola Tinubu

ABUJA – Nigeria’s military says some officers will face a court martial over allegations they plotted to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government last year.

Sixteen officers were arrested in October for what the armed forces initially described as indiscipline and breaches of service rules, while denying reports of an attempted coup.

Following an investigation, the military has now confirmed that some of those detained will be tried by a military judicial panel, though the exact number was not disclosed.

The armed forces said the process would ensure accountability and due process, stressing that any attempt to unseat an elected government violates military ethics and professional standards.

The case comes amid heightened regional tensions after a wave of military coups across West Africa, even as Nigeria maintains its record of uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999.

Below are the full names and ranks of the 16 indicted officers:

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).