The Defence Headquarters, or DHQ, announced yesterday that a military court martial would be held for the Special Investigative Panel it established to look into 16 Armed Forces personnel who were accused of acts of indiscipline and coup plotting.
DHQ claims that the impacted officers’ acts of indiscipline violate service rules.
In a statement released in Abuja, Major-General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, revealed that the investigation looked into every aspect of the affected personnel’s behaviour and found officers who had cases to answer, including accusations that resembled a plot to topple the government.
According to him, such behaviour is at odds with the morals, ethics, and professional standards that Nigerian Armed Forces personnel are required to uphold.
“It would be recalled that the Defence Headquarters issued a press statement in October 2025 regarding the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, wishes to inform the general public that investigations into the matter have been concluded, and the report forwarded to the appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.
“The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct 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 AFN,” the statement read.
The Defence spokesman emphasised that the measures being taken were “purely disciplinary and part of internal institutional mechanisms to preserve discipline, cohesion and operational effectiveness within the ranks.”
He said the arraignment will proceed under the Armed Forces Act and other relevant service regulations, to ensure fairness and due process.
“The AFN reiterates that measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks,” the statement added.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to professionalism, loyalty and respect for constitutional authority, assuring the public that due process and fairness will be strictly observed throughout the proceedings.
Sources had disclosed that the 16 officers in custody comprised Brigadier General Musa Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course); Colonel M. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Course); Lt.-Col S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th Course); Lt Col A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th Course); Lt Col Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Course); and Lt Col M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Course).
Others include Major A. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th Course); Major M. Jiddah (Katsina, 56th Course); Major M.A. Usman (FCT, 60th Course); Major D. Yusuf (Gombe, 59th Course); Major I. Dauda (Jigawa, DSSC 38); Captain I. Bello (DSSC 43); and Captain A. Yusuf, Lieutenant S. Felix (DSSC). Also included were Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (Navy), Squadron Leader S. Adamu (Air Force).
Most of the officers, sources said, belong to the Infantry Corps, Signals Corps, and Ordnance Corps.
Recall that the DHQ had, in October 2025, announced the arrest of the officers, saying investigations had been completed in line with established military procedures and extant regulations.
Nigeria has had a complex history of military involvement in politics, with multiple coups between 1966 and 1993, which has made allegations of coup-plotting highly sensitive.
