New details have emerged about the identities of 16 Nigerian military officers detained over the alleged October 1st coup attempt.
According to credible military sources, 14 of the detained officers are from the Nigerian Army, including one Brigadier General, one Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, and one Lieutenant.
The remaining two are from the Navy and Air Force a Lieutenant Commander and a Squadron Leader, both equivalent to the rank of Major.
Reports by Premium Times revealed that most of the Army suspects belong to the Infantry Corps, while others are from the Signals and Ordnance Corps. Many are graduates of the 56th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), which ran from September 2004 to October 2008. Six of these officers were among the first arrested.
Sources also disclosed that 15 of the detainees are from the North Central, North East, and North West, while one lieutenant hails from the South West.
The alleged coup plot reportedly aimed to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas.
Although the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) dismissed reports of a coup attempt as “false and misleading,” security insiders said the arrests were linked to growing unrest within the armed forces.
The Presidency also clarified that the recent replacement of service chiefs was part of a normal administrative restructuring by President Tinubu, not a response to the alleged coup.
Weeks after the reported plot, President Tinubu shocked the nation by replacing top military commanders. He dismissed General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to the position.
Major General Waidi Shaibu became the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kevin Aneke took over as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas replaced the naval chief. Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Meanwhile, sources told Sahara Reporters that investigators have since expanded their probe. Military operatives reportedly raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva, arresting his brother and aide.
Sylva denied any involvement in the coup through his spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, who confirmed the former governor was in the United Kingdom for medical treatment and preparing to attend a conference in Malaysia.
Bokoru alleged that individuals “believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters” carried out the raid without explanation.
The military investigation continues, amid fears of deeper discontent within the ranks and growing pressure on authorities to clarify the true extent of the alleged conspiracy.