Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has confirmed that some of its officers were involved in a plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu in October 2025.
The military said the officers implicated in the plot will soon be brought before a military judicial panel to face trial in line with the Armed Forces Act and other service regulations.
In a brief statement issued on Monday evening, titled “Update on Disciplinary Cases Involving Sixteen Officers Investigated for Indiscipline and Breach of Service Regulations,” the AFN said investigations into the matter have been completed. The statement was signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba.
According to the statement, the investigation report has been forwarded to the appropriate superior authorities, as required by military regulations. The findings revealed that some unnamed officers were involved in activities linked to an attempt to overthrow the government—actions described as inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards of the Nigerian military.
Major General Uba recalled that in October 2025, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced the arrest of sixteen officers for acts of indiscipline and violations of service rules. He explained that a thorough investigation was carried out following established military procedures to examine the conduct of the affected personnel.
“As a result of the findings, officers with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before the appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other relevant regulations,” the statement said. It added that the process would ensure accountability while respecting fairness and due process.
The AFN emphasized that the actions being taken are purely disciplinary and part of internal efforts to maintain order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the military. It also reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, loyalty, and respect for constitutional authority.
Reports had first emerged in September 2025 that sixteen military officers were detained by military intelligence over an alleged plot to overthrow President Tinubu’s government. The alleged plan was said to have been linked to Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations on October 1, 2025.
At the time, the Defence Headquarters denied the existence of any coup plot, stating that the officers were detained for breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline. The DHQ also said the cancellation of the Independence Day parade was due to administrative and security reasons, not a threat to national stability, and described media reports of a coup attempt as false and misleading.
In mid-October, President Tinubu announced major changes in the military leadership, replacing the Chiefs of Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force. While the presidency said the reshuffle was intended to strengthen national security and improve professionalism, observers linked the timing to the earlier allegations of a coup plot.
