16 arrested over alleged coup scare in Nigeria – MEDIA
In what appears to be a major security scare, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has reportedly uncovered a coup plot aimed at toppling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, a media report has said.
No fewer than sixteen senior military officers have been arrested in connection with the alleged plan, according to top security sources who spoke with Sahara Reporters, the report said.
A coup d’état, by definition, is an organized attempt, often by members of the military or political elites, to forcefully remove an existing government.
While the Nigerian military had earlier claimed that the arrested officers were detained over issues of “indiscipline, repeated failure in promotion exams, and perceived career stagnation,” sources within the defence hierarchy insist the matter runs much deeper, Sahara Reporters’ report says
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said in a carefully worded statement.
He added that preliminary findings showed the officers’ grievances were linked to stalled career progress and pending disciplinary actions.
However, a senior official from the DIA told SaharaReporters that the arrests were in fact connected to a foiled coup plot.
“The sixteen officers were planning a coup,” the source alleged. “The military authorities are being diplomatic with the public statement, but the truth is they were holding secret meetings to overthrow the government and install a military regime.”
According to the source, the plotters—ranging in rank from Captain to Brigadier General—were arrested at different locations across the country following an intelligence operation coordinated by the DIA and other security agencies.
“They’re still in detention at the DIA headquarters,” the source added. “Their main objective was to remove President Tinubu and other top government officials.”
Another insider revealed that the October 1st Independence Day parade was quietly cancelled because of fears that the alleged coup was set to be executed during the national celebration.
“Yes, they were planning to strike during the Independence Day parade,” the source said. “Intelligence reports indicated that the plan was to attack the President and other key politicians at the event. That’s why the National Security Adviser and service chiefs advised the government to cancel the parade to prevent any incident.”
The latest incident adds to Nigeria’s long and uneasy history with military coups. Since independence in 1960, the country has witnessed five successful takeovers.
In recent months, there have also been growing murmurs of discontent within the armed forces, with some officers lamenting alleged corruption, poor welfare, and political interference in military affairs, factors that security analysts believe may have contributed to the brewing unrest.
