NiIGERIAN security authorities have detained Nollywood filmmaker, Mr Stanley Amandi, after linking him to a group of military officers accused of plotting a violent attempt to unseat President Bola Tinubu’s government, according to Premium Times.

The actor and director, who once led the Enugu State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was taken into custody in September 2025. Until now, his alleged involvement in the plot had not been publicly disclosed.

Investigators say Mr Amandi was not part of the military cell itself but was recruited by the alleged conspirators to help shape public messaging. According to sources, he was expected to function as a media propagandist for the group, which authorities believe intended to carry out coordinated assassinations of senior government officials as part of a wider plan to seize power.

Reports indicate that the targets included President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, among others.

Defence Headquarters has since acknowledged that such a plot was under investigation. In a statement released on Monday, the military confirmed that officers accused of participating in the scheme would be subjected to military judicial processes.

READ ALSO: Here’re 16 officers named in alleged coup plot against Tinubu

The Defence Headquarters said its probe had been concluded and the report transmitted to higher authorities in line with service regulations. It described the inquiry as exhaustive, adding that it examined all relevant conduct surrounding the affected personnel.

According to the military, several officers were identified as having been involved in actions “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards” expected of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The case first surfaced publicly last October when it was reported that 16 officers were being questioned. At the time, the army said they were under investigation for indiscipline and breaches of service rules, without acknowledging the coup allegations.

Further inquiries later revealed that the dragnet widened to include additional soldiers as well as civilians. Those implicated are now expected to face a combination of military and civilian trials.

Military personnel will be tried by court martial before any possible civil proceedings, while civilians connected to the plot, including Mr Amandi, will be prosecuted in regular courts.

Stanley Amandi is a familiar figure in Nollywood, known for working across acting, directing and production management. He previously served as the chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in Enugu State.

His film credits include The Album (director), Tiger King (director and producer, 2008), Cornerstone (producer, 2019), and Once Upon a Dream (actor, 2024).

His last activity on Instagram was recorded on September 19, 2025, just days before his arrest.

Officers earlier named

Economy Post had earlier mentioned the names of the 16 officers

READ ALSO: Coup rocks Benin Republic as power struggle hits West Africa

The most senior officer named is Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, who was born on January 3, 1974. Also named is Col M.S. Ma’aji, a Nupe from Niger State, who was born on August 13, 1976.

Colonel S. Bappah is also in the list of the alleged coup plotters. Mr Bappah hails from Bauchi State in North-East Nigeria. He was born on June 21, 1984. Also named is Lt Colonel A.A. Hayatu from Kaduna State, born on August 13, 1983.

 Also in the list is Lt. Colonel M. Almakura, a member of the 56 Regular Course. He is from Nasarawa State and was born on March 18, 1983.

Equally named is Lt Col A.A. Hayatu, with service number N/13038. He hails from Kaduna State. Born on August 13, 1983, he underwent his cadet training between September 27, 2004 and October 4, 2008. A member of the infantry corps, Mr Hayatu also belonged to the 56 Regular Course.

Also named is Col Dangnap from Plateau State. He was born on April 1, 1986. In 2015, he was court-martialed alongside 29 others for offences related to the fight against Boko Haram, Premium Times said. The officer, with service number N/13025, began his cadet training on September 27, 2004 and completed it on October 4, 2008. An infantry corps officer, Mr Dangnap is also a member of the 56 Regular Course of the NDA.

Another officer named in the coup plot is Major I. Dauda, who joined the army through the Direct Short Service Commissions. Born on November 26, 1983, the infantry officer with service number N/13625 trained between June 5, 2009 and March 27, 2010. Mr Dauda, who hails from Jigawa, is a member of Short Service Commission Course 38.

Major D Yusuf, a major with service number N/14753, was also named in the coup plot. He is a member of the Ordinance Corps. He was born on May 26, 1988. As a member of the 59th Regular Course, Mr Yusuf trained at NDA between July 7, 2007 and September 8, 2012. He hails from Gombe State.

Mr M.A, Usman is a major with service number N/15404. He was born on April 1, 1989. He hails from the Federal Capital Territory, in North-Central Nigeria. A member of the 60th Regular Course, the infantry officer trained as a cadet at the NDA between August 16, 2008 and September 14, 2012.

READ ALSO: How 16 coup plotters allegedly planned to eliminate Tinubu, Shettima, ministers, others

A major in the Nigerian army, M.M Jiddah, was also named. A native of Katsina State, Major Jiddah was born on July 9, 1985. He trained between September 27, 2004 and October 4, 2008. He is a member of the 56 Regular Course, with service number N/13003.

Also named is A.J Ibrahim, a major with service number N/13065. Mr Ibrahim hails from Gombe State. Born on June 12, 1987, the Infantry Corps officer trained between September 27, 2004 and October 4, 2008. He was a member of the 56 Regular Course, and became a captain in 2013.

Likewise named is Mr Ibrahim Bello, a captain with service number N/16266. He was born on July 28, 1987. He is a member of the Direct Short Service Commission Course 43.

Mr A.A. Yusuf was also named in the coup. He is an army captain with service number N/16724. Also mentioned is S.S Felix, a lieutenant with service number N/18105.

Also in the list is Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi, a Nigerian Navy personnel with service number NN/3289. Squandron Leader S. B Adamu, an Air Force squadron leader with service number NAF/3481, was equally named in the coup plot.