Fresh moves by the military have led to the arrest of another 15 officers over an alleged plot to overthrow the Federal Government, bringing the number of personnel currently in custody to more than 40.
Sources within the security circle told The Nation that the new arrests followed disclosures made by the first batch of 16 officers earlier taken into custody.
The suspects were said to have named additional personnel who were allegedly assigned specific roles in what investigators described as a “grand conspiracy.”
It was learnt that intelligence units are scrutinising electronic communication trails among the suspects, with more arrests said to be imminent as investigations continue.
Findings revealed that the initial 16 officers in detention include a Brigadier General, a Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, a Squadron Leader, a Navy Lieutenant Commander, and an Army Lieutenant.
Those reportedly held are:
Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th RC);
Colonel M.A. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th RC);
Lt Col S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th RC);
Lt Col A.A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th RC);
Lt Col Dangnan (Plateau, 56th RC);
Lt Col M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th RC);
Major A.J. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th RC);
Major M.M. Jiddah (Katsina, 56th RC);
Major M.A. Usman (FCT, 60th RC);
Major D. Yusuf (Gombe, 59th RC);
Major I. Dauda (Jigawa, DSSC 38);
Captain I. Bello (DSSC 43);
Captain A.A. Yusuf;
Lieutenant S.S. Felix (DSSC);
Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (Navy);
and Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (Air Force).
Most of them, insiders said, are drawn from the Infantry, Signals, and Ordnance Corps.
Funds Traced to Prominent Politicians
Highly placed sources disclosed that financial investigators have traced significant cash movements to individuals suspected of backing the alleged coup network.
The trail reportedly led to a former governor who also served as a minister of state.
Operatives of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were said to have joined forces with military intelligence to unravel the funding channels.
According to one source, “The detained officers have been cooperating. They are providing names, accounts, and details of meetings that point to a wider circle of influence.”
Although the Defence Headquarters has yet to issue an official statement on the latest arrests, insiders said the military hierarchy is handling the matter with utmost secrecy until investigations are concluded.
The development comes barely three weeks after the Defence Headquarters confirmed that 16 officers had been apprehended for “acts of indiscipline” and breach of service regulations.
At the time, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said the arrests arose from a routine disciplinary exercise, noting that the affected officers had longstanding grievances over promotion delays and career stagnation.
“Some of the apprehended officers had been under scrutiny for various offences and were either awaiting or undergoing trial,” Gusau said.
He stressed that the Armed Forces would not tolerate any conduct capable of undermining discipline or threatening the country’s democratic order.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain loyal to constitutional authority and will continue to uphold professionalism, discipline, and national stability,” he reaffirmed.