By Ghazali Ibrahim
No fewer than 16 senior officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces have reportedly been detained over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
According to exclusive reports by Sahara Reporters and other media platforms, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), in collaboration with other security agencies, arrested the officers, ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General over suspicions of holding secret meetings and planning a military takeover of the government.
The arrests reportedly took place across various military formations in Nigeria, and the officers are now in custody at a secure DIA facility in Abuja.
A source within the intelligence community revealed that the plot, had it not been foiled, was intended to be executed during Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations on October 1.
The plan allegedly included targeting key political figures and seizing power through force.
However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied the existence of any coup plot.
In a statement by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the DHQ described the arrests as routine disciplinary measures tied to alleged misconduct and breaches of service rules, particularly concerning promotional examinations.
Despite the official statement, multiple insiders insist that the operation was part of a larger intelligence sweep that uncovered a genuine threat to the nation’s democracy.
This is not the first time Nigeria has faced internal unrest within the military ranks.
While democracy has taken deep roots since 1999, analysts warn that any whiff of military interference even if not publicly acknowledged must be treated with the utmost seriousness.
As investigations continue, Nigerians and the international community await clearer communication from the presidency and defence authorities regarding the true nature of the incident and the fate of the detained officers.
