EXCLUSIVE: Identities of 16 officers arrested in foiled coup against Tinubu revealed

As investigations into the alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu’s administration deepen, the identities of 16 senior military officers reportedly involved in the plot have been revealed.

According to sources familiar with the probe, 14 of the officers are from the Nigerian Army, while two others are from the Navy and Air Force, respectively.

Reports indicate that 12 of the army officers are from the Infantry Corps, known for frontline combat operations, while one officer serves in the Signals Corps and another in the Ordnance Corps, which oversees weapons and logistics.

The detained officers include a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, a lieutenant, a lieutenant commander from the Navy, and a squadron leader from the Air Force.

Military and government authorities have remained silent on the matter, with the Defence Headquarters only clarifying that the alleged plot had no connection to the low-key Independence Day celebration on October 1.

Leading the list of detained officers is Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, suspected to be the mastermind of the alleged coup. Born on January 3, 1974, the Nasarawa-born officer, who served in the Infantry Corps, was once commander of the 3rd Brigade in Kano and Garrison Commander of the 81 Division in Lagos. He was previously detained in 2024 for alleged diversion of rice palliatives and sale of military equipment.

Others include Colonel M.A. Ma’aji from Niger State, identified as a key strategist in the alleged plot. Ma’aji, who commands the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo State, is said to have served in various military operations, including Operation Crocodile Smile II.

The list also features Lt. Colonel S. Bappah from Bauchi State, Lt. Colonel A.A. Hayatu from Kaduna, Lt. Colonel M. Almakura from Nasarawa, and Lt. Colonel P. Dangnap from Plateau, who was once court-martialed in 2015 over offences linked to the Boko Haram war.

Other suspects include Majors A.J. Ibrahim from Gombe, M.M. Jiddah from Katsina, M.A. Usman from the FCT, D. Yusuf from Gombe, and I. Dauda from Jigawa, along with Captains Ibrahim Bello and A.A. Yusuf, Lieutenant S.S. Felix, Navy Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi, and Air Force Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu.

Read Also: Tinubu decorates newly appointed Service Chiefs with fresh ranks

Sources confirmed that the officers are currently being interrogated by military investigators over their alleged involvement in the foiled coup.

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