‘How air force officer was allegedly ordered to assassinate NSA Ribadu’

An officer of the Nigerian Air Force who was recently seconded to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was allegedly instructed to assassinate Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, as part of a failed coup plot, sources close to the investigation have disclosed.

According to a report by TheCABLE, identified as  Adamu fom Jigawa State, the officer had been posted to the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) — a programme under the ONSA — only four weeks before the foiled coup attempt.

Although earlier reports suggested that multiple suspects were linked to the ONSA, insiders clarified that Adamu was the only one connected through the NCTC.

Military insiders told TheCable that when Major General Adamu Garba Laka, who serves as the National Coordinator of the NCTC, requested the deployment of a particular officer to the centre in August 2025, his request was unexpectedly turned down. Instead, Adamu was sent in his place — a development that has heightened suspicion that elements within the armed forces hierarchy had been compromised by the coup plotters.

Adamu, a member of Regular Course 59 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), is reportedly cooperating with investigators.

President Bola Tinubu recently carried out a major military reshuffle, removing two service chiefs, including Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.

According to information obtained by TheCable, the squadron leader was specifically assigned to “take out” Ribadu, while other members of the network were allegedly tasked with assassinating additional senior government officials.

So far, military authorities have not publicly confirmed the existence of the coup plot.

In response to earlier reports, including a story first published by Sahara Reporters, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) described the ongoing interrogation of 16 officers as part of a “routine internal process aimed at ensuring [that] discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks.”

Brigadier Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, said the findings of the probe would be released once concluded.