Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq and Colonel M.A. Ma'aji - two of the officers in detention for alleged coup plot
Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has released the full identities of sixteen officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) indicted by a Special Investigative Panel over allegations of serious misconduct, including an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The officers, drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, were earlier arrested in October 2025 following accusations of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
The DHQ confirmed on Monday that investigations into the matter have now been concluded.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed that the investigative report has been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority in line with extant military regulations, with affected officers set to face trial before a military court.
“It would be recalled that the Defence Headquarters issued a press statement in October 2025 regarding the arrest of sixteen officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations,” the DHQ said.
According to the military high command, the investigation was extensive and conducted strictly in accordance with established military procedures, with all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the officers carefully examined.
“The findings have identified a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the AFN,” the statement disclosed.
Major General Uba noted that officers found to have cases to answer would be formally arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels.
“Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations,” he said.
He emphasized that the measures being taken are strictly disciplinary and not political, describing them as part of internal mechanisms to maintain order, discipline and operational efficiency within the Armed Forces.
“The AFN reiterates that measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks,” the DHQ added.
Reaffirming its commitment to democratic governance, the military stressed its loyalty to constitutional authority.
“The Armed Forces remain resolute in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, loyalty and respect for constitutional authority,” the statement concluded.
Full List of Indicted Officers
*The sixteen officers named by the Defence Headquarters are:*
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)
Most of the officers are drawn from the Infantry, Signals and Ordnance Corps of the Armed Forces.
