Identities Of Alleged Coup Plotters In Nigerian Military Emerge

DETAILS have emerged about the identities of at least 16 Nigerian military officers currently being detained over an alleged coup plot said to have targeted top government officials.

According to Premium Times, 14 of the officers are from the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two belong to the Navy and the Air Force.

Among the Army suspects are a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant.

The naval officer is a lieutenant commander, while the Air Force officer holds the rank of squadron leader.

Investigations reveal that most of the Army officers are from the Infantry Corps, which specialises in ground combat operations.

Others belong to the Signals and Ordnance Corps, responsible for communications and logistics.

Many of the detained personnel reportedly belong to the 56 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), which trained between September 2004 and October 2008. Six officers from this course—four lieutenant colonels and two majors—were among the first to be arrested.

The remaining Army suspects are drawn from other NDA courses, including the 44th, 47th, 59th and 60th, as well as the Short Service Commission Courses 38 and 43.

The course affiliations of two Army officers, along with those of the naval and air force personnel, are yet to be confirmed.

Further findings indicate that fifteen of the sixteen detained officers are from Nigeria’s North-Central, North-East, and North-West regions, while the youngest suspect, a lieutenant, hails from the South-West.

The arrests reportedly followed intelligence of a foiled plot to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.

While the military has not denied the arrests, it described the investigation as an internal disciplinary process aimed at maintaining professionalism and integrity within the Armed Forces.

Weeks after the arrests, President Tinubu announced a major shake-up in the military leadership, relieving General Christopher Musa of his position as Chief of Defence Staff and replacing him with General Olufemi Oluyede.

Other appointments included Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye retained his post as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The Presidency has not linked the leadership changes to the alleged coup plot.

Although 16 officers were initially detained, sources say the number of suspects has, since, increased.

Reports also claim that the military raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, arresting his brother, who also serves as his aide.

There are also unconfirmed reports that chairman of the NDDC board, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, is undergoing grilling in the hands of security agents after he has been, allegedly, linked to the transfer of some huge sums of money to Sylva.