Full List: Names, Profiles of 16 Nigerian Military Officers Detained Over Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu

Sixteen senior Nigerian military officers have been detained over an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to details published by Premium Times, the officers — drawn from the Army, Navy, and Air Force — are currently under investigation by military authorities for their alleged involvement in the failed attempt.

Fourteen of the detained officers belong to the Nigerian Army, while one is from the Navy and another from the Air Force. Twelve of the army officers are from the Infantry Corps, which leads frontline ground operations. One belongs to the Signals Corps responsible for communications, and another is from the Ordnance Corps, which handles weapons, ammunition, and military logistics.

The detained officers include a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, a lieutenant, a lieutenant commander, and a squadron leader. The Defence Headquarters has so far remained silent on the matter, only noting that the alleged plot had no connection with the low-key Independence Day celebrations held on October 1.

The profiles of the detained officers are as follows:

1. Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq – Born on January 3, 1974, Sadiq, an indigene of Nasarawa State, has service number N/10321. He was trained at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) between August 1992 and September 1997 as part of the 44 Regular Course. He rose to the rank of brigadier general in 2019 after becoming a colonel in 2015. He belongs to the Infantry Corps and is suspected to be the leader of the coup plot. He previously commanded the 3rd Brigade in Kano and served as Garrison Commander of the 81 Division in Lagos. In 2024, he was detained for alleged diversion of palliatives and sale of military equipment.

2. Colonel M.A. Ma’aji – Born on March 1, 1976, Ma’aji is a Nupe native from Niger State. He joined the NDA in 1995 as part of the 47 Regular Course and completed training in 2000. The Infantry Corps officer, with service number N/10668, was promoted to colonel in 2017 and commanded the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo State. He previously participated in Operation Crocodile Smile II and served in Operation Delta Safe.

3. Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah – A member of the Signals Corps, Bappah hails from Bauchi State and was born on June 21, 1984. With service number N/13036, he trained under the 56 Regular Course between 2004 and 2008.

4. Lieutenant Colonel A.A. Hayatu – Hayatu, from Kaduna State, was born on August 13, 1983. He also trained between 2004 and 2008 as part of the 56 Regular Course. He serves in the Infantry Corps and has service number N/13038.

5. Lieutenant Colonel P. Dangnap – From Plateau State, Dangnap was born on April 1, 1986. He has service number N/13025 and trained in the 56 Regular Course. He was court-martialed in 2015 alongside 29 others for offences linked to the Boko Haram war.

6. Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura – Almakura, from Nasarawa State, was born on March 18, 1983. The Infantry Corps officer, with service number N/12983, trained under the 56 Regular Course between 2004 and 2008.

7. Major A.J. Ibrahim – Ibrahim, from Gombe State, was born on June 12, 1987. With service number N/13065, he trained under the 56 Regular Course and became a captain in 2013.

8. Major M.M. Jiddah – Born on July 9, 1985, Jiddah hails from Katsina State and serves in the Infantry Corps. A member of the 56 Regular Course, he has service number N/13003.

9. Major M.A. Usman – Usman, from the Federal Capital Territory, was born on April 1, 1989. A member of the 60 Regular Course, he trained between 2008 and 2012. The Infantry Corps officer has service number N/15404.

10. Major D. Yusuf – Yusuf, a member of the Ordnance Corps, was born on May 26, 1988. He trained under the 59 Regular Course from 2007 to 2012. He hails from Gombe State and has service number N/14753.

11. Major I. Dauda – Dauda joined the Army through the Direct Short Service Commission and hails from Jigawa State. Born on November 26, 1983, he trained between June 2009 and March 2010 as part of Short Service Commission Course 38. His service number is N/13625.

12. Captain Ibrahim Bello – Bello, with service number N/16266, was born on July 28, 1987. He is a member of the Direct Short Service Commission Course 43.

13. Captain A.A. Yusuf – An army captain with service number N/16724. Further details about his background have not yet been disclosed.

14. Lieutenant S.S. Felix – Felix serves in the Army with service number N/18105. Limited information is available about his posting.

15. Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi – Abdullahi, a Nigerian Navy officer with service number NN/3289, holds the naval rank equivalent to a major. Details about his course and state of origin are yet to be confirmed.

16. Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu – Adamu serves in the Nigerian Air Force and has service number NAF/3481. He holds the Air Force rank equivalent to a major.

Fifteen of the sixteen detained officers are reportedly from Nigeria’s northern regions — the North-Central, North-East, and North-West — while one lieutenant from the South-West is said to be the only southern suspect and the most junior of the group.

The military has not publicly confirmed the exact nature of the alleged coup plot, though reports suggest the officers intended to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. The Defence Headquarters has continued to describe the arrests as part of internal disciplinary procedures.

Following the reported coup attempt, President Tinubu carried out a major shake-up in the military hierarchy, appointing new service chiefs. Despite the coincidence in timing, the presidency has not directly linked these changes to the alleged plot. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, with sources indicating that more arrests could follow as the probe deepens.