Two military officers have reportedly gone into hiding after being linked to an alleged plan to overthrow Nigeria’s democratic government.
Military authorities are said to have intensified their investigation, making additional arrests following the interrogation of 16 officers detained earlier in October over the foiled coup plot.
According to TheCable, 18 officers were initially marked for arrest, but two, believed to have fled the country, remain at large.
One of them, Major J.M. Ganaks (service number N/14363), is from the Federal Capital Territory and was a member of the 58th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He was stationed in Jaji, Kaduna State.
The second fugitive, Captain G. Binuga (service number N/167722), from Taraba State, belonged to the 64th Regular Course and was attached to the DHQ Special Operations Forces in Bida, Niger State.
Military sources say some of those already in custody have provided “useful information” that led to further arrests, bringing the total number of detained officers to over 30. While a few have remained silent, others are said to be cooperating with investigators.
Meanwhile, contrary to earlier reports suggesting the coup was set for October 1, sources confirmed to TheCable that arrests actually began in the first week of the month.
What you should know
Rumours of a potential coup plot have circulated for weeks, sparking concern among Nigerians.
Shortly after the speculation emerged, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a reshuffle of the nation’s service chiefs, a move some observers linked to the ongoing investigations.
However, both the military and the federal government have consistently denied the existence of any coup attempt.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has insisted that the probe is a “routine internal process” aimed at maintaining discipline and professionalism within the armed forces.
Out of the 16 officers initially detained, 14 are from the Nigerian Army, while two belong to the Navy and Air Force, respectively.
Within the Army, 12 officers are from the Infantry Corps — responsible for ground combat — while one serves in the Signals Corps and another in the Ordnance Corps, which manages weapons and logistics.
Those arrested include a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant. The remaining two are a lieutenant commander from the Navy and a squadron leader from the Air Force.
