Alleged coup plot: Profiles of 16 military officers in custody revealed

Sixteen senior Nigerian military officers are currently being held as investigators dig deeper into an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

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.

According to a report by PREMIUM TIMES, it was gathered that military intelligence officials are still piecing together the full details of the foiled plot. According to sources familiar with the investigation, 14 of the 16 suspects serve in the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two are drawn from the Navy and Air Force.

Among the army personnel, 12 are members of the Infantry Corps, the force’s primary ground combat arm. One officer is attached to the Signals Corps, which oversees communications, and another serves in the Ordnance Corps, responsible for managing weapons and logistics.

The suspects’ distribution cuts across different service branches and ranks, with one brigadier general at the top of the list. The naval representative is a lieutenant commander, equivalent to a major, while the Air Force has a squadron leader under detention.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, both the Defence Headquarters and the Federal Government have maintained silence. The military has only stated that the alleged coup plot had nothing to do with the subdued Independence Day celebrations held on 1 October.

Profiles of the Detained Officers
1. Brigadier General Musa Abubakar SadiqBorn on 3 January 1974, Brigadier General Sadiq (service number N/10321) trained at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) from 14 August 1992 to 20 September 1997.

He is alleged to be the leader of the plot. A member of Regular Course 44 and an indigene of Nasarawa State, he rose to the rank of colonel in 2015 and brigadier general in 2019. He belongs to the Infantry.

He has previously served as Commander of the 3rd Brigade in Kano and Garrison Commander of the 81 Division in Lagos.

2. Colonel M.A. Ma’ajiColonel Ma’aji was born on 1 March 1976 and hails from Niger State. He began NDA training in August 1995 and graduated in September 2000.

Investigators suspect he served as a key strategist for the alleged plot, though this claim remains unverified.An infantry officer and member of Regular Course 47, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 2013 and to colonel in 2017.

The 49-year-old previously commanded the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo State, and took part in Operation Crocodile Smile II in 2017. He also served in Operation Delta Safe.

3. Lt. Colonel S. Bappah
From Bauchi State, Lt. Colonel Bappah (service number N/13036) serves in the Signals Corps. Born on 21 June 1984, he trained at the NDA from 27 September 2004 to 4 October 2008 and is part of Regular Course 56.

4. Lt. Colonel A.A. HayatuLt. Colonel Hayatu (service number N/13038), born on 13 August 1983, hails from Kaduna State. He trained at the NDA between 27 September 2004 and 4 October 2008 and is also a member of the Infantry Corps and Regular Course 56.

5. Lt. Colonel P. Dangnap

Dangnap, from Plateau State, was born on 1 April 1986. The infantry officer trained at the NDA from 27 September 2004 to 4 October 2008. He was court-martialed in 2015 alongside 29 others for offences related to the Boko Haram campaign.

6. Lt. Colonel M. Almakura

From Nasarawa State, Lt. Colonel Almakura (service number N/12983) was born on 18 March 1983. He trained at the NDA between 27 September 2004 and 4 October 2008 and is an infantry officer from Regular Course 56.

7. Major A.J. Ibrahim

Born on 12 June 1987, Major Ibrahim (service number N/13065) is from Gombe State and serves in the Infantry Corps. He trained at the NDA during the same period as his colleagues in Regular Course 56 and became a captain in 2013.

8. Major M.M. Jidda
An indigene of Katsina State, Major Jiddah (service number N/13003) was born on 9 July 1985. He trained at the NDA from 27 September 2004 to 4 October 2008 and serves in the Infantry Corps as part of Regular Course 56.

9. Major M.A. Usman
Major Usman (service number N/15404) hails from the Federal Capital Territory and was born on 1 April 1989. A member of Regular Course 60, he trained at the NDA from 16 August 2008 to 14 September 2012 and serves in the Infantry Corps.

10. Major D. Yusuf
Major Yusuf  is with the Ordnance Corps. Born on 26 May 1988, he hails from Gombe State and was part of Regular Course 59 at the NDA, where he trained from 7 July 2007 to 8 September 2012.

11. Major I. Dauda
An infantry officer from Jigawa, Major Dauda (service number N/13625) joined through the Direct Short Service Commission. Born on 26 November 1983, he trained between 5 June 2009 and 27 March 2010 as part of Short Service Commission Course 38.

12. Captain Ibrahim Bello
Captain Bello (service number N/16266) was born on 28 July 1987 and is a member of Direct Short Service Commission Course 43.

13. Captain A.A. YusufAn army captain with service number N/16724. Further details remain unclear.

14. Lieutenant S.S. Felix
A lieutenant. Limited information is available on him at this time.

15. Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi
A Nigerian Navy officer (service number NN/3289) currently in custody over the alleged coup plot.

16. Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu
An Air Force officer (service number NAF/3481) also being detained in connection with the case.

(PREMIUM TIMES)