By James
Kindly share:
In a rare and significant move, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Monday confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers for serious breaches of discipline, with several set to face trial before military judicial panels.
Some of the officers are reportedly implicated in an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu, a development that has sent shockwaves across the nation’s security establishment.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement by Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, who said the panel’s investigation had concluded and found that several of the officers had cases to answer.
“The affected personnel will now face a military court-martial in accordance with established procedures and extant regulations,” Maj.-Gen. Uba said, describing their conduct as “inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards expected of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Discipline within the Nigerian Armed Forces is governed by strict codes of conduct and service regulations. Court-martial proceedings are typically reserved for the most serious violations, including corruption, insubordination, and actions that threaten the stability of the government or military hierarchy. Allegations of coup plotting are treated with utmost seriousness due to their potential impact on national security and public confidence in the military.
The 16 officers facing trial include senior and mid-ranking personnel from key branches, such as Infantry, Signals, and Ordnance Corps, highlighting the depth of the breach across multiple arms of the service.
Full details of the officers, as reported, are:
Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course)
Colonel M. A. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Regular Course)
Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th Regular Course)
Lieutenant Colonel A. A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th Regular Course)
Lieutenant Colonel Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Regular Course)
Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Regular Course)
Major A. J. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th Regular Course)
Major M. M. Jiddah (Katsina, 56th Regular Course)
Major M. A. Usman (FCT, 60th Regular Course)
Major D. Yusuf (Gombe, 59th Regular Course)
Major I. Dauda (Jigawa, DSSC 38)
Captain I. Bello (DSSC 43)
Captain A. A. Yusuf
Lieutenant S. S. Felix (DSSC)
Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi (Nigerian Navy)
Squadron Leader S. B. Adamu (Nigerian Air Force)
Analysts say the DHQ’s action reflects a zero-tolerance approach to indiscipline and reinforces the message that any threat to Nigeria’s constitutional order will be addressed decisively.
