For months, the whispers refused to die down as questions about what truly happened behind the barracks walls persisted.
Yesterday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed what it once dismissed as mere rumour.
It said investigations into alleged coup plotting within the military have been concluded, with a report submitted on 16 officers arrested for serious service violations, including attempts to overthrow the government.
The DHQ said the report was forwarded to the appropriate superior authority, in line with extant military regulations.
The confirmation was contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Sumaila Uba.
According to the statement, the investigation, conducted strictly in accordance with established military procedures, examined all circumstances surrounding the actions of the affected personnel.
“The findings have identified a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN),” the statement said.
Major General Uba explained that officers found to have cases to answer would be formally arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels.
“Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.
This ensures accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process,” he added.
How the coup story broke
The controversy dates back to October 2025, when reports surfaced alleging that some military officers were involved in a plot to destabilise and possibly overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
At the time, the reports triggered widespread public concern, coming against the backdrop of coups and attempted coups in several West African countries, including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.
The military high command swiftly moved to douse tensions.
In an initial response, the Defence Headquarters categorically denied that there was any coup plot, describing media reports of an attempt to overthrow the Federal Government as “baseless” and “misleading.”
However, shortly after the denial, the military announced that 16 officers had been arrested and were facing military justice, not for coup plotting, but for acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
What the military said then
In its October 2025 statement, the DHQ explained that the grievances of the arrested officers stemmed largely from internal issues, particularly perceived career stagnation resulting from repeated failures in promotion examinations, among other service-related complaints.
The military further stated that some of the officers were already under military jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting trial or currently undergoing trial, before their latest arrest.
At the time, the high command was emphatic that the actions taken were purely disciplinary.
“The measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks,” the DHQ said.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, loyalty and constitutional authority, insisting that there was no threat to Nigeria’s democratic order.
A shift from denial to confirmation
Yesterday’s statement by the DHQ marks a significant shift, from outright denial of coup-related allegations to a confirmation that investigations uncovered claims of plotting to overthrow the government among some of the arrested officers.
Despite this, the military maintained that the process remains strictly within the bounds of military law and discipline, not political vendetta.
“The Armed Forces remain resolute in maintaining the highest standards
