THE Nigerian military has officially confirmed that some of its officers were involved in a plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking the first formal admission by the Armed Forces following months of speculation and denials.
The confirmation came after the completion of an internal investigation into allegations that surfaced in October last year, when reports emerged that several serving officers ranging in rank from Captain to Brigadier-General had been arrested and detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over an alleged coup plot against the civilian government.
On Monday, News Point Nigeria reported that the panel constituted to investigate the alleged plot had concluded its assignment and submitted its report to President Tinubu.
Shortly after the report, the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, issued an official statement confirming that the investigation had been concluded and forwarded to what he described as the “appropriate superior authority” in line with military regulations.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to inform the general public that investigations into the matter have been concluded and the report forwarded to appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations,” Uba said.
According to the military spokesman, the probe panel carried out a comprehensive and detailed investigation, adhering strictly to established military procedures, to examine the conduct of the affected personnel and the circumstances surrounding the alleged plot.
He disclosed that the findings identified several officers whose actions were deemed inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards expected of members of the Armed Forces.
“The findings have identified a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the AFN,” the statement said.
Uba further announced that officers found to have a case to answer would be formally arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels to face trial under the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.
“Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations,” he added.
The senior military officer explained that the decision to make the development public was aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and public confidence, while also upholding the principles of fairness and due process within the military justice system.
He stressed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains firmly committed to professionalism, loyalty to constituted authority and respect for Nigeria’s democratic order.
The Armed Forces remain resolute in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, loyalty and respect for constitutional authority,” Uba said.
He also clarified that the actions being taken against the affected officers were purely disciplinary and part of the military’s internal mechanisms to safeguard discipline, order and operational effectiveness within its ranks.
“The AFN reiterates that measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks,” the statement concluded.