- Interim Probe Links Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu to Network of Military Officers
- Brigadier General Tukur Gusau (retd.) confirmed that an investigative panel had been set up and that its findings would be made public
- Security sources further confirmed that investigators were examining possible civilian and political linkages
An interim investigation report into the alleged coup plot against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has identified a clandestine network of military officers across the Army, Navy and Air Force, allegedly coordinated by an Army Colonel whose name has been withheld.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the officer was allegedly responsible for funding, recruitment and early-stage operational planning, with intelligence linking him directly to the mobilisation of like-minded officers within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
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According to investigators, the Colonel’s alleged involvement was driven partly by career-related grievances, including repeated failures in promotion examinations, which reportedly fuelled his disaffection and subsequent efforts to recruit others with similar frustrations.
The report revealed that officers were allegedly assigned to covertly survey strategic national installations, including the Presidential Villa, major military barracks, and international airports in Abuja and Lagos, indicating what investigators described as deliberate coup-style planning.
In October 2025, the Defence Headquarters announced the arrest of 16 military officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. Shortly after, media reports linked the arrests to alleged secret meetings aimed at overthrowing the government and suggested a connection to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.
At the time, the then Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau (retd.), dismissed the reports as misleading, insisting the matter was an internal disciplinary issue. He confirmed that an investigative panel had been set up and that its findings would be made public.
Providing an update on Monday, the new Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said a comprehensive investigation had now been concluded in line with military procedures and forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.
The interim report described the alleged plot as having progressed beyond “casual dissent” into early operational planning, including surveillance of the Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks, and key transport hubs.
Investigators said intelligence on disgruntled elements within the military and the civil population triggered arrests, interrogations and link analysis, exposing what they described as a structured conspiracy aimed at a coup d’état.
Searches conducted on the Colonel’s vehicle reportedly uncovered charms and anti-government materials, while a raid on his residence in Lokogoma, Apo, allegedly yielded sensitive documents detailing assigned roles, funding flows and notes on how key national dignitaries were to be handled during the operation.
The report stated that multiple testimonies implicated the officer as the central coordinator, alleging that financial inducements ranging from ₦2 million to ₦5 million were distributed to some participants for logistics and mobilisation.
Eko Hot Blog had earlier reported that suspected plotters infiltrated the Presidential Villa and allegedly compromised staff of a construction firm to obtain security-related information.
The Defence Headquarters confirmed on Monday that officers indicted following the investigation would be arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel.
Those reportedly in custody include officers ranging from Captain to Brigadier-General, while two additional suspects were said to be under investigation.
Investigators also disclosed that encrypted messaging platforms, including WhatsApp and Zangi, were allegedly used for coordination, while discreet vehicle repairs and fund movements suggested early logistical preparations.
One suspect, Lt Col S. Bappah, was identified as a key cooperating witness who reportedly provided details on recruitment methods, funding channels and communication structures, significantly strengthening the case.
The interim assessment warned that the cross-service nature of the alleged network, the involvement of senior officers, and the identification of strategic installations elevated the threat level and justified swift preventive action.
Security sources further confirmed that investigators were examining possible civilian and political linkages, including the name of a former minister who surfaced during intelligence reviews. However, no formal charges or arrest warrants have been issued in that regard.
“The investigation is not limited to uniforms alone,” a security source said.
“We are examining communication trails, financial flows and political interfaces. That does not imply guilt, but due diligence.”
The report concluded that failure to act promptly could have had grave implications for national stability, as investigations continue and additional suspects are tracked.
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