Nigerian military to arraign officers after probe into alleged coup plot

By Zainab Uzomah

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says it has completed investigations into 16 officers arrested in October 2025 over alleged acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.

In a statement signed by Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) said the inquiry was conducted in line with established military procedures and that the final report has been submitted to the appropriate superior authority.

The probe, which followed the arrests announced late last year, examined the conduct of all personnel involved. According to the military, investigators uncovered evidence that several officers faced allegations linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the government — behaviour the AFN described as wholly inconsistent with the values, ethics and professional standards expected of service members.

Officials said those found to have cases to answer will be arraigned before the appropriate military judicial panels, where they will face trial under the Armed Forces Act and other applicable regulations. The AFN stressed that the process is designed to ensure accountability while upholding fairness and due process.

The military reiterated that the measures being taken are strictly disciplinary and part of broader institutional mechanisms aimed at preserving order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks. It emphasised that the Armed Forces remain committed to professionalism, loyalty and respect for constitutional authority.

The arrests in October 2025 were initially disclosed as part of efforts to address breaches of service rules. At the time, the military did not publicly confirm suspicions of a coup plot, but the new findings place the case within a broader context of Nigeria’s sensitivity to any threat against democratic governance. The country experienced repeated military coups between 1966 and 1993, making allegations of attempted overthrow particularly consequential and closely observed both domestically and internationally.