At least 16 Nigerian military officers have been detained over an alleged coup plot, with insiders saying the number of suspects has grown over time.
Fourteen of them are from the Army, while the remaining two come from the Navy and the Air Force.
The Army detainees include one brigadier general, one colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant.
The Navy officer is a lieutenant commander, and the Air Force officer is a squadron leader—both equivalent in rank to an Army major.
Most of the Army suspects are said to be from the Infantry Corps, which handles ground combat. One is from the Signals Corps (military communications), and another from the Ordnance Corps (in charge of weapons and logistics).
Most suspects trained together at military academy
Twelve of the 14 Army officers reportedly belong to the 56 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), which trained between 2004 and 2008. Among them are four lieutenant colonels and two majors.
Others come from different NDA courses, including the 44th, 47th, 59th, and 60th, as well as the Short Service Commission Courses 38 and 43. Details about two Army officers and the Navy and Air Force personnel remain unclear.
Sources say 15 of the 16 detained officers are from northern Nigeria—covering the North-central, North-east, and North-west zones—while only one, a junior lieutenant, is from the South-west.
A plot to assassinate top leaders
Earlier reports revealed that the alleged coup plot involved plans to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Although the military has not denied the arrests, it described the ongoing probe as a “routine internal process” to maintain discipline within its ranks.
Following the arrests, President Tinubu made a surprise shake-up in the military leadership, removing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and appointing General Olufemi Oluyede in his place. New service chiefs were also named for the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
Investigations continue
The investigation has since expanded. Reports say the military raided the Abuja home of former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva and arrested his brother, who also works as his personal assistant.
Mr. Sylva denied any involvement, saying through his spokesman, Julius Bokoru, that he was abroad for medical treatment and a conference. He insisted he has “no connection whatsoever” with any coup plot.
Efforts to reach the former governor for further comments were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered.
