By our Correspondent
The Nigerian military establishment has been rocked by reports that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has arrested 16 senior officers over an alleged plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
According to investigative reporting by SaharaReporters, the detained officers ranging in rank from Captain to Brigadier-General—are accused of involvement in a covert plot to stage a coup and impose military rule. The plan was allegedly scheduled to coincide with the country’s 65th Independence Day celebration on October 1, 2025, an event which was unexpectedly canceled by the government.
Sources familiar with the investigation claim that the officers were strategically positioned in critical security roles, including within the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). This has raised serious concerns about the potential reach and coordination behind the suspected plot. One of the key individuals reportedly under investigation is Lieutenant-Colonel Al-Makura, believed to be a relative of a former governor of Nasarawa State.
The alleged objective, according to insiders, was to exploit the ceremonial parade and its symbolic significance to carry out a swift and decisive power seizure. However, the plan is said to have been uncovered before execution, prompting immediate arrests and ongoing interrogations by military intelligence units.
Despite these explosive claims, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has firmly denied any suggestion of a coup plot. In an official statement released on October 18, the DHQ described the allegations as “false and misleading,” stating that the officers in question are being held for routine disciplinary actions related to breaches of military conduct not treason.
The DHQ also clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 parade was due to logistical and diplomatic considerations, citing President Tinubu’s scheduling conflict with a bilateral international engagement. However, critics and security analysts have questioned the timing of the decision and the opacity surrounding the arrests.
The situation has sparked anxiety among citizens and observers, especially given Nigeria’s history of military interventions in politics. While the country has enjoyed over two decades of democratic governance since 1999, memories of past coups remain fresh. The lack of transparency from both the military and the presidency has only deepened public suspicion and concern.
As of now, the federal government has not released an official list of the detained officers, nor have formal charges been publicly filed. Calls are mounting for an independent investigation to determine the true nature of the arrests, the scope of the alleged conspiracy, and whether constitutional processes were followed in handling the matter.
Political analysts note that the Tinubu administration, already facing mounting economic pressure, widespread insecurity, and public dissatisfaction over recent policy reforms, could be increasingly vulnerable to internal unrest both civilian and military.
Meanwhile, regional and international actors are keeping a close watch. With West Africa currently experiencing a wave of military coups recently in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Gabon the stability of Nigeria is viewed as critical to the security and democratic trajectory of the entire region.
Diplomatic observers warn that any credible evidence of a coup attempt must be addressed with the utmost transparency and due process, while ensuring that internal military discipline does not cross the line into political suppression.
As investigations continue behind closed doors, Nigerians are demanding clarity. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether this is an isolated case of internal indiscipline or a sign of deeper unrest within the ranks of the nation’s armed forces.
