iDeemlawfulA new investigation by PREMIUM TIMES has uncovered detailed profiles of sixteen top military officers allegedly linked to the reported failed coup against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Military sources disclosed that 14 of the detained officers belong to the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two are from the Navy and Air Force.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that 12 of the 14 army officers are members of the Infantry Corps, the Army’s frontline combat division responsible for ground operations.
One officer serves in the Signals Corps, which handles military communications, while another is in the Ordnance Corps, tasked with procuring, maintaining, and storing weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other logistics.
The report identified the detained army officers as a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant. The others include a lieutenant commander from the Navy and a squadron leader from the Air Force.
Both the military and the Nigerian government have denied any coup plot, insisting that the cancellation of the October 1 military parade was unrelated to any alleged conspiracy.
Profiles of Officers Detained Over Alleged Coup Plot
1. Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq
Born on 3 January 1974, Brig. Gen. Sadiq (Service No: N/10321) trained at the NDA from 14 August 1992 to 20 September 1997. He is reportedly suspected of leading the coup plot. A Nasarawa native from Regular Course 44, he was promoted to colonel in 2015 and brigadier in 2019. He previously commanded the 3rd Brigade in Kano and served as Garrison Commander of the 81 Division, Lagos. He was earlier investigated in 2024 for “alleged diversion of rice palliatives and sale of military assets.”
2. Colonel M.A. Ma’aji
Born 1 March 1976, Col. Ma’aji (Service No: N/10668) is a Nupe native from Niger State and a member of the Infantry Corps. He joined the Army in 1995 and was commissioned in 2000. He commanded the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo State, and participated in Operation Crocodile Smile II in 2017.
3. Lt. Colonel S. Bappah
Lt. Col. Bappah (Service No: N/13036) is from Bauchi State. Born on 21 June 1984, he belongs to the Signals Corps and is part of the 56 Regular Course.
4. Lt. Colonel A.A. Hayatu
Born 13 August 1983, Lt. Col. Hayatu (Service No: N/13038) hails from Kaduna State and serves in the Infantry Corps. He also trained under the 56 Regular Course.
5. Lt. Colonel P. Dangnap
A Plateau native born 1 April 1986, Lt. Col. Dangnap (Service No: N/13025) was once court-martialed in 2015 over operations against Boko Haram. He is an infantry officer from the 56 Regular Course.
6. Lt. Colonel M. Almakura
Lt. Col. Almakura (Service No: N/12983), born on 18 March 1983, is from Nasarawa State. He is an infantry officer and part of the 56 Regular Course.
7. Major A.J. Ibrahim
Born 12 June 1987, Major Ibrahim (Service No: N/13065) from Gombe State is an Infantry officer of the 56 Regular Course.
8. Major M.M. Jiddah
Major Jiddah (Service No: N/13003), born 9 July 1985, is an Infantry Corps officer from Katsina State and a 56 Regular Course graduate.
9. Major M.A. Usman
Born 1 April 1989, Major Usman (Service No: N/15404) is from the FCT and a member of the 60 Regular Course.
10. Major D. Yusuf
Major Yusuf (Service No: N/14753), born 26 May 1988, from Gombe State, belongs to the Ordnance Corps and trained under the 59 Regular Course.
11. Major I. Dauda
A Jigawa native, Major Dauda (Service No: N/13625) joined through the Short Service Commission Course 38. He is an infantry officer trained between 2009 and 2010.
PREMIUM TIMES also reported that details on the remaining five officers remain unclear but confirmed they are being detained in connection with the alleged coup plot.
12. Captain Ibrahim Bello – (Service No: N/16266), born 28 July 1987, Direct Short Service Course 43.
13. Captain A.A. Yusuf – (Service No: N/16724).
14. Lieutenant S.S. Felix – (Service No: N/18105).
15. Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi – (Service No: NN/3289), Nigerian Navy.
16. Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu – (Service No: NAF/3481), Nigerian Air Force.
Critics and opposition figures have accused the government of concealing the truth about the alleged plot. President Tinubu’s recent dismissal of the service chiefs has further fueled public speculation.
However, authorities have consistently maintained that there was no coup attempt against the Tinubu administration.
