The identities of 16 senior military officers allegedly linked to the foiled coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu’s administration have been unfolded.
Multiple security sources familiar with the ongoing investigation told Premium Times that 14 of the 16 detained officers are from the Nigerian Army, while one each belongs to the Navy and the Air Force.
According to the online medium, of the army personnel, 12 are from the Infantry Corps—the Army’s main ground combat unit—one from the Signals Corps, which oversees military communications, and one from the Ordnance Corps, responsible for weapons and logistics.
The detained officers comprise a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant, alongside a naval lieutenant commander and an air force squadron leader.
Both the military and the Federal Government have remained silent on the matter. The Defence Headquarters only clarified that the coup investigation was not the reason behind the low-key Independence Anniversary held on October 1.
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Profiles of the Detained Officers
- Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq
Born January 3, 1974 (Service No: N/10321), Gen. Sadiq, suspected to be the leader of the failed coup, is a member of NDA Regular Course 44 and an indigene of Nasarawa State.
He previously served as Commander, 3rd Brigade, Kano, and Garrison Commander, 81 Division, Lagos. In October 2024, he was detained over alleged diversion of rice palliatives and sale of military assets. - Colonel M.A. Ma’aji
Born March 1, 1976 (Service No: N/10668), Col. Ma’aji from Niger State is a member of Regular Course 47. A former Commander of the 19 Battalion, Okitipupa, Ondo State, he also served under Operation Delta Safe. Investigators describe him as one of the key strategists of the plot. - Lt. Colonel S. Bappah
Born June 21, 1984 (Service No: N/13036), the Bauchi-born officer serves in the Signals Corps and belongs to NDA Regular Course 56. - Lt. Colonel A.A. Hayatu
A Kaduna State native, born August 13, 1983 (Service No: N/13038), Hayatu is an Infantry Corps officer from Regular Course 56. - Lt. Colonel P. Dangnap
From Plateau State, born April 1, 1986 (Service No: N/13025), Dangnap was court-martialed in 2015 alongside 29 others for alleged offences during the Boko Haram war. He also belongs to Regular Course 56. - Lt. Colonel M. Almakura
Born March 18, 1983 (Service No: N/12983), Almakura, from Nasarawa State, is an Infantry Corps officer and member of Regular Course 56. - Major A.J. Ibrahim
A Gombe indigene born June 12, 1987 (Service No: N/13065). He is from the Infantry Corps and a member of Regular Course 56. - Major M.M. Jiddah
Born July 9, 1985 (Service No: N/13003), the Katsina-born infantry officer trained under Regular Course 56. - Major M.A. Usman
From the FCT, born April 1, 1989 (Service No: N/15404), Usman is an Infantry officer and a member of Regular Course 60. - Major D. Yusuf
Born May 26, 1988 (Service No: N/14753), Yusuf is an Ordnance Corps officer from Gombe State and a member of Regular Course 59. - Major I. Dauda
An indigene of Jigawa State (Service No: N/13625), Dauda joined via Direct Short Service Commission Course 38 in 2009. He serves in the Infantry Corps. - Captain Ibrahim Bello
Born July 28, 1987 (Service No: N/16266), Bello is a member of Direct Short Service Commission Course 43. - Captain A.A. Yusuf
An Army captain with Service No: N/16724. Further details remain sketchy. - Lieutenant S.S. Felix
A young infantry officer with Service No: N/18105. - Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi
A Nigerian Navy officer with Service No: NN/3289, equivalent in rank to a major. - Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu
A Nigerian Air Force officer (Service No: NAF/3481), equivalent in rank to a major.