THE Nigerian military has submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the report of its investigation into what it officially described as acts of indiscipline and breach of service regulations involving 16 detained military officers, amid renewed claims that the case is linked to an alleged coup plot against the administration.
Credible security and Presidency sources confirmed to this newspaper that the report, compiled after more than two months of interrogation and internal investigations conducted by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), has now been formally handed over to the President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Although the Defence Headquarters had previously dismissed claims of a coup attempt, multiple sources within the security establishment said the investigation concluded that there was indeed an attempt by some of the detained officers to undermine the government.
According to a senior source familiar with the probe, the officers were indicted in the report and are expected to face disciplinary measures once President Tinubu reviews and approves the recommendations.
“Those who were tasked with the investigation have completed their work and submitted the report to the President,” the source said. “Once the President gives his nod, further action will follow.”
The source added that while it remains unclear whether the officers will be court-martialled, sanctions would be imposed in line with established military procedures.
Another highly placed source at the Presidential Villa confirmed that the military briefed the President on the findings, stating that the report established that the alleged plot was real.
“The briefing clearly showed that there was an attempt by the detained officers to do what was reported,” the source said, adding that the Brigadier-General among them was detained for allegedly being aware of the plot but failing to report it through appropriate channels.
The officers were initially arrested in October 2025, following reports by Sahara Reporters alleging that they were involved in a coup plot. The reports coincided with the sudden cancellation of Nigeria’s October 1 Independence Day Parade, a development that fueled widespread speculation.
At the time, both the Defence Headquarters and the Presidency denied the existence of any coup attempt, insisting the arrests were strictly disciplinary.
In an official statement issued on October 4, 2025, the then Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, said the officers were detained over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.
He stated that investigations revealed their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation and repeated failure in promotion examinations, adding that some of the officers were already facing disciplinary proceedings for unrelated offences.
The detained officers include a Brigadier-General, a Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, a Lieutenant, a naval Lieutenant Commander and an Air Force Squadron Leader. Twelve of them are from the Infantry Corps, while others belong to the Signals and Ordnance Corps.
Among those named is Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, an infantry officer and member of Regular Course 44 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), who investigators suspect to be the leader of the alleged plot. Sadiq had previously been detained in 2024 over allegations of misconduct, including diversion of palliatives and sale of military equipment.
Meanwhile, concerns have emerged over the health and welfare of the detained officers.
A pro-democracy group, the Concerned Pro-Democratic Activists of Nigeria, has appealed to President Tinubu and the Federal Government to intervene, citing reports that some of the officers are battling deteriorating health conditions in detention.
Speaking to journalists in Lafia, Nasarawa State, the group’s chairman, Yusuf Musa Dauda, said the officers have been held since October without access to family members or adequate medical care.
Dauda described the situation as troubling, particularly in a democratic setting, and urged the authorities to either release the officers if there is no case against them or subject them to proper legal proceedings.
“We strongly condemn any attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government,” Dauda said. “However, justice must be done fairly. These officers have families who have not seen or spoken to them for months.”
He also appealed for immediate medical attention for those reportedly falling ill in detention and called on the government to allow family access to ease anxiety and confirm their wellbeing.
The group stressed that prolonged detention without trial undermines due process and urged the federal authorities to act swiftly.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, nor the Special Adviser on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, had responded to requests for comment.
The military and the Presidency are yet to officially disclose the full contents of the report or announce the next steps, but sources say President Tinubu’s decision will determine whether the officers face court-martial, administrative sanctions, or other disciplinary measures.