FRESH revelations have emerged regarding a group of 16 military officers detained over their alleged roles in a rumored plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Security and military sources confirmed that 14 of the detainees are personnel of the Nigerian Army, including a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and one lieutenant.
Additionally, a Lieutenant Commander from the Nigerian Navy and a Squadron Leader from the Nigerian Air Force both equivalent to the rank of major were apprehended.
Most of the arrested Army officers are from the Infantry Corps, the military’s strategic combat backbone. One officer was drawn from the Signals Corps and another from the Ordnance Corps.
Investigations show that many of the suspects are graduates of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 56th Regular Course (2004–2008). Six of them were reportedly among the first to be detained.
The remainder belong to various NDA courses spanning multiple admission years.
Security sources indicate that: 15 of the detainees hail from the North Central, North East, and North West and 1 lieutenant is from the South West.
No names have been officially released by military authorities.
Sources familiar with the investigation claim the conspirators allegedly intended to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas, and other top officials as part of the plot.
The military has not confirmed this allegation publicly.
The Defence Headquarters has repeatedly dismissed reports of a coup attempt, calling them: “false, misleading, and malicious”.
It said the officers in custody were arrested for professional misconduct, not an attempt to topple the government.
However, weeks after the alleged coup scare, President Tinubu unexpectedly reshuffled the top military hierarchy, replacing: Gen. Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff with Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff but the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye, was retained.
The Presidency did not link the changes to the alleged coup conspiracy.
The investigation widened when Defence Intelligence operatives raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva, arresting, his younger brother, Paga Sylva and his driver
Sylva, who denied involvement, was reportedly in London for medical checks and scheduled to travel to Malaysia for a professional engagement.
His media aide, Julius Bokoru, described the allegations as politically motivated, linked to the build-up to the 2027 Bayelsa governorship race.
“Chief Sylva is a democrat and remains committed to the Tinubu administration,” Bokoru stated.
No official reason was provided for the raid.
Military insiders suggest more arrests may follow as Defence Intelligence expands its probe into what one source described as: “a wider ring of disgruntled officers with political backing.”
The Defence Headquarters has not provided further updates.
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Editorial Note: News Point Nigeria has been formally warned by senior military authorities not to disclose the names of the detained officers at this time, as doing so may obstruct the ongoing investigation and be considered a national security threat. We will continue to report developments responsibly while respecting operational security guidelines.