Families of Detained Officers Appeal for Leniency Over Alleged Coup Plot

Families of 16 military officers detained over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu have begun appeals to the Presidency and other senior officials, seeking leniency for their relatives as they await court martial.

The officers have been in custody since October 2025 following investigations by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Military authorities later indicated that the officers were found culpable in connection with the alleged plot and would face trial under military law.

Relatives who spoke anonymously said they were exploring both legal and political avenues to seek mercy, acknowledging the seriousness of the accusations but urging compassion.

“We understand the gravity of the offence under military and civil law, but these are our loved ones and breadwinners,” a family member of one of the detained Majors said. “We are appealing to the President to temper justice with mercy. We are not asking that they go unpunished, but we hope their lives can be spared.”

Another relative said the families were initially shocked by the arrests but have since shifted focus to seeking forgiveness. “Some of them have young children. We believe they have learnt their lessons. We are pleading for understanding from Nigerians and the government,” he said.

Security analyst Abdullahi Garba called for transparency in the handling of the case. He urged the military high command to conduct an open and fair trial to avoid perceptions of bias, noting that many of the accused officers are from the same region of the country.

A retired officer, Major Bashir Galma, who took part in the 1983 coup, described coup plotting as a high-risk undertaking with severe consequences. He recounted his role at the time, which involved taking control of broadcast and telecommunications facilities in Kaduna, to illustrate the dangers and stakes involved in such actions.

Ranks and Corps Representation

Those in detention include a Brigadier-General, a Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, a Lieutenant, a Navy Lieutenant Commander and an Air Force Squadron Leader.

Most of the army officers are from the Infantry Corps, the Army’s primary ground combat unit. Others are drawn from the Signals and Ordnance Corps, responsible for communications and logistics respectively.

**Profiles of Some Detained Officers**

Among those detained is Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, an Infantry officer and member of NDA Regular Course 44, who previously commanded the 3rd Brigade in Kano and served as garrison commander of the 81 Division in Lagos.

Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, also of the Infantry Corps, previously commanded the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa and participated in Operation Crocodile Smile II. Investigators suspect he played a strategic role in the alleged plot, though this has not been independently verified.

Other officers named include Lt Col S. Bappah of the Signals Corps; Lt Col A.A. Hayatu and Lt Col M. Al-Makura of the Infantry Corps; and several Majors and junior officers from various courses of the Nigerian Defence Academy and Direct Short Service Commission.

Details of a few of the remaining officers are still emerging, but they include personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force.

As the officers await court martial, families continue to press for mercy, while observers call for due process and transparency in the proceedings.