The Armed Forces of Nigeria has announced that some of its officers will soon be arraigned before a military judicial panel over allegations of plotting to overthrow the Federal Government.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military said the decision followed the conclusion of internal investigations conducted in line with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.
The Defence Headquarters recalled that in October 2025, sixteen officers were arrested for acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
According to the statement, the investigations into the matter have now been completed, with the final report forwarded to the appropriate superior authorities in accordance with extant military procedures.
“The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel,” the statement said.
It added that the findings identified some of the officers as facing allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, an act described as fundamentally inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards expected of members of the Armed Forces.
Consequently, the military said officers found to have cases to answer would be formally tried before appropriate military judicial panels. It stressed that the process would ensure accountability while upholding fairness and due process.
“The measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the ranks,” the statement noted, reaffirming the military’s loyalty to constitutional authority.
Arrest of Officers
The development comes more than three months after the Armed Forces announced the arrest of 16 officers in October 2025. At the time, preliminary investigations linked their actions to grievances arising from repeated failures in promotion examinations and perceived stagnation in career progression.
The military had said the conduct of the officers fell short of required standards, adding that some of them were already under investigation for other offences and were either facing trial or awaiting court proceedings.
It warned that any behaviour capable of undermining the integrity of the Armed Forces or threatening its constitutional role under democratic governance would not be tolerated.
Parade Cancellation and Coup Speculation
The planned trials have also revived public speculation over a purported coup plot, which had earlier been linked to the cancellation of the 65th Independence Anniversary military parade.
The Defence Headquarters had dismissed reports suggesting that officers ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General were detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency over alleged coup meetings.
It explained that the parade was cancelled to allow President Bola Tinubu attend a strategic bilateral engagement abroad and to enable the Armed Forces to sustain momentum in ongoing operations against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
The military reiterated its loyalty to the Constitution and the Federal Government, insisting that democracy in Nigeria remains secure.
Raid on Ex-Governor’s Residence
In the same month, soldiers reportedly raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over alleged links to the suspected coup plot.
Security sources said the operation was carried out by a special military team following intelligence reports connecting the former governor to alleged secret meetings with some of the detained officers. The raid reportedly extended to his Bayelsa residence, where his brother was said to have been arrested.
Opposition Reacts
Meanwhile, the opposition African Democratic Congress has called on the Federal Government to clarify the true nature of the alleged coup plot.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed concern over what it described as conflicting signals from government and military authorities, noting that earlier official statements had denied any coup threat.
The ADC warned that continued silence from the government could deepen public suspicion and urged authorities to make a clear and categorical statement on the matter.