By: Manoah Kikekon
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigerian military has reportedly intensified its crackdown on an alleged conspiracy to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, making fresh arrests of high-ranking officers. Among the latest to be detained is Major H. Yusuf, a decorated officer of the Nigerian Army’s 57 Regular Course, who recently concluded his Senior Course at the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji.
These developments follow a high-stakes investigation that has been quietly unfolding since late 2025. While the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has maintained a tight lid on the specifics, the scope of the alleged plot appears to involve a wide network of military personnel and civilian collaborators.
Defence Minister Reveals He Was a "Marked Target"
The gravity of the situation was underscored by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who recently went public with chilling details of the conspiracy. Speaking on Channels Television, the Minister revealed that he was personally marked for elimination by the plotters.
"I was also a target," General Musa stated. "The plan was to arrest me, and if I resisted, I was to be shot. These individuals lack the capacity to challenge the Nigerian military, but their intentions were clear."
The Minister's disclosure aligns with the military’s January 2026 confirmation that several of the 16 officers arrested in October 2025 would face formal prosecution for attempting to destabilize the federal government.
Breakdown of Detained Officers: A Growing List
While the military initially dismissed rumors of a coup, describing early arrests as matters of "service indiscipline," the narrative has shifted toward a full-scale national security investigation. Current reports suggest that over 35 military officers and at least one police officer, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, are in custody.
The hierarchy of those detained highlights the alleged depth of the plot: High-Ranking Officers: 1 Brigadier General, 2 Colonels, and 5 Lieutenant Colonels. Mid-Level Command: 11 Majors (including Navy and Air Force equivalents), 5 Captains, and 1 Lieutenant. Non-Commissioned Officers: 10 personnel, ranging from Warrant Officers to Lance Corporals.
Geographically, the suspects represent a broad spectrum of the country, with a significant number hailing from Northern states, including Nasarawa, Niger, Katsina, and Kano, alongside officers from Bayelsa and Osun.
Human Rights Concerns and Detention Conditions
As the investigation enters its second year without a formal trial, families of the detained officers have raised alarms regarding "inhumane treatment." Reports indicate that at least five officers have fallen ill while being held in underground military cells in Abuja.
Relatively little information has been shared with the families, who claim they have been denied access to legal representation and medical updates. Sources suggest that some detainees were moved from standard DIA facilities to more restrictive, poorly ventilated "dark cells" following the initial arrests in late 2025.
Regional Context: A Wave of Unrest
The alleged plot against the Tinubu administration comes at a sensitive time for the West African sub-region. Following recent military takeovers and failed coup attempts in countries like the Benin Republic, Nigerian authorities are on high alert to prevent any democratic reversal.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, assured the public that those found culpable would be formally arraigned before a military judicial panel in accordance with the Armed Forces Act.
For now, the specifics of the evidence and the "prominent Nigerians" allegedly involved remain classified, leaving the nation on edge as the military continues its internal purge.