Sixteen Nigerian Army officers detained over an alleged coup plot targeting President Bola Tinubu, foiled by intelligence agencies before Independence Day celebrations.
Several Nigerian Army officers are currently in detention for their alleged involvement in a coup plot aimed at overthrowing President Bola Tinubu.
The detained officers are attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), a critical arm of Nigeria’s security apparatus responsible for coordinating intelligence and national security operations.
ONSA is headed by Nuhu Ribadu, a retired police officer and lawyer serving as the National Security Adviser to President Tinubu.
Staff within the office are typically drawn from Nigeria’s intelligence community, armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and paramilitary units, highlighting the strategic nature of the office.
Given their positions, officers stationed at ONSA have access to sensitive information and are tasked with protecting the nation’s security at the highest levels.
SaharaReporters had earlier exclusively reported the arrest and detention of senior military officers, led by an Army Brigadier General, for allegedly plotting a coup during the October 1st Independence Day celebrations.
While the Nigerian military initially released a statement suggesting that the detentions were due to “repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation,” senior sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that the arrests were in fact linked directly to a coup plot.
According to a senior official from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the officers were planning to seize government power from what they described as “selfish politicians.”
The DIA, together with its sister intelligence agencies, conducted a thorough investigation that successfully uncovered the plot before it could be executed. The intelligence gathering effort was described as a decisive intervention that prevented a major national security crisis.
“The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were simply being diplomatic in the public statement,” the source told SaharaReporters.
“They had begun holding secret meetings to coordinate how to overthrow the President and other senior government officials. The officers involved range in rank from Captain to Brigadier-General and are currently in detention at the DIA.
“They were apprehended at their residences across the country. Their main objective was to remove Tinubu and establish a military government.”
Another source confirmed the connection to the country’s Independence Day celebrations, stating, “Yes, they were arrested for planning a coup and attempting to take over the government.
“That is the primary reason the Independence Day parade scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, as part of the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary, was cancelled. The plot posed a serious threat to national stability and required swift action from security agencies.”
Providing an update on Saturday evening, the senior intelligence official said most of the officers, primarily from Northern Nigeria, are attached to the NSA office.
Their positions within ONSA, which oversees national security intelligence operations, gave them both access and opportunities to plan the coup plot without immediate detection.
One of the alleged leaders of the coup plot has been identified as Lieutenant Colonel Al-Makura, an officer who recently returned from a specialized combat course in China.
He is the nephew of Tanko Umaru Al-Makura, former governor of Nasarawa State and current Board Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
According to sources, Lieutenant Colonel Al-Makura is a no-nonsense infantry officer who has earned respect in Maiduguri, Borno State, for his professional conduct and operational expertise.
“The ringleader of the coup is Lieutenant Colonel Al-Makura. Do not confuse him with his brother—there are two Al-Makuras in the Army, both holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
“The other brother, commanding officer of the 343 Artillery Regiment in Elele, was briefly detained but released on Friday after investigations showed he was not involved in the plot,” the source explained.
“Lieutenant Colonel Al-Makura, the accused officer, recently returned from a course in China and was posted to the NSA office a few months ago. Both Al-Makuras are nephews of the former governor.”
The DIA and other intelligence agencies reportedly conducted extensive surveillance and interrogations, identifying younger officers who were allegedly misled into participating in the coup plot.
“Looking at the full list of accused officers, most are from Northern Nigeria. Unfortunately, the younger ones among them were deceived into joining the plan. Currently, none of the detainees has access to their families,” the source added.
The foiled coup plot has drawn attention to vulnerabilities within the Nigerian military and the intelligence community.
Experts suggest that such incidents highlight the importance of constant monitoring, intelligence sharing, and proactive counter-intelligence measures to prevent internal threats.
While the arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security apparatus, they also raise questions about morale, leadership, and career progression within the military ranks.
The Nigerian military has maintained that its initial statements regarding promotion failures were meant to prevent public panic and maintain diplomatic discretion.
However, senior officials insist that the arrests were a direct result of the thwarted coup plot, which posed a significant threat to the constitutional order.
Security analysts have noted that targeting the Independence Day celebrations as a potential execution date for the coup would have had symbolic implications, aiming to project military dominance during a national holiday.
The timely detection and arrests prevented what could have been a severe disruption to national governance and security.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding the full network behind the plot, identifying possible collaborators, and reinforcing protocols to prevent similar attempts.
Senior security officials have assured that the government is committed to maintaining stability, and all implicated officers are currently under strict detention to ensure a thorough and transparent inquiry.
The case also sheds light on the complex dynamics of loyalty, ambition, and political influence within Nigeria’s armed forces.
While most officers serve professionally and uphold their oaths, incidents like this demonstrate that ongoing vigilance is critical to safeguard democratic governance.
The arrest of these 16 officers linked to a coup plot underscores the Nigerian government’s proactive measures in maintaining national security.
The intelligence community, led by the DIA and supported by ONSA, has played a pivotal role in ensuring that the country remains stable amid potential internal threats.
The officers’ detention serves both as a cautionary tale and as a reassurance to Nigerians that the rule of law and democratic institutions remain protected.
More news at ireport247news
About The Author
