21/10/2025
Defence Intelligence Arrests Brigadier-General, 15 Others Over Alleged Coup Plot to Overthrow President Tinubu
The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has reportedly detained at least sixteen senior military officers, including a Brigadier-General, over an alleged plot to overthrow President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sources within the military have revealed.
According to information obtained by SaharaReporters, the officers were apprehended following intelligence reports suggesting a coordinated plan to stage a coup d’état against the democratically elected government.
A coup d’état is an overt attempt by a military organisation or government elite to unseat an incumbent leader through unconstitutional means.
Although the Nigerian military had earlier described the arrests as a disciplinary action linked to “repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation,” top security insiders say the detentions were directly tied to a foiled coup attempt.
In an official statement released a few days ago, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, said:
> “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.
Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.”
However, a senior official of the Defence Intelligence Agency confirmed to SaharaReporters that the suspects had been secretly meeting to plan the forceful takeover of government from what they described as “selfish politicians.”
“The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were just being diplomatic in the statement released by the spokesperson,” the source disclosed.
> “They had started holding secret meetings on how to overthrow the President and other top government officials. They were all picked from their various homes across the country after intelligence gathering confirmed their plans.”
The detained officers, who reportedly range from the rank of Captain to Brigadier-General, are being held at the DIA headquarters in Abuja pending further investigation.
Another source hinted that the alleged coup plot was the reason the federal government abruptly cancelled the October 1 Independence Day parade earlier this month.
“Yes, they were arrested for planning to stage a coup and take over government,” the source said.
> “Intelligence reports indicated they intended to execute the plot on October 1 during the parade, targeting the President and other dignitaries. That was why the event marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary was called off to prevent the attack.”
Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the country has experienced five successful military coups. The latest development has raised fresh concerns about growing discontent within the armed forces amid allegations of corruption, poor welfare, and career stagnation among officers.
Security analysts have warned that the government must urgently address the underlying grievances within the military to avert further threats to national stability.
