THE Nigerian military has forwarded to President Bola Tinubu the outcome of its probe into alleged misconduct and violations of service rules involving 16 officers currently in detention, amid persistent claims linking them to a planned coup against the administration.

A presidency source disclosed on Monday that the report was submitted after over two months of investigations and interrogations carried out by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

The submission follows media reports from October last year which claimed that the officers, ranging in rank from captain to brigadier-deneral, were arrested for allegedly conspiring to topple Tinubu’s government.

Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq Source:Premium Times

At the time, both the Defence Headquarters and the Presidency rejected the coup allegations, maintaining that the arrests were purely internal disciplinary matters and had no political undertones.

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However, a source familiar with the latest findings said the DIA had completed its work and officially briefed the President.

“The team assigned to investigate the matter has concluded its task and submitted its report to Mr President. His decision will determine the next line of action,” the source said.

According to the source, the investigative panel indicted the officers, and disciplinary measures were expected once the president approves the recommendations.

“All I can confirm is that they were indicted and will be sanctioned accordingly when the President gives approval. Whether it will involve court-martial or other penalties is not yet clear, but standard military procedures will apply,” a source added.

A senior official at the Presidential Villa also confirmed that Tinubu had been briefed on the findings, describing the alleged coup plot as real.

“The military informed Mr President that the attempt was genuine. The report clearly established that the detained officers had plans consistent with what was earlier reported in the media,” the official said.

The source further explained that the brigadier-general among the detainees was not necessarily accused of leading the plot, but of having prior knowledge of it and failing to report it through appropriate channels.

It was also revealed that a former governor from southern Nigeria was investigated over suspicions of financing the alleged scheme.

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On October 29, security operatives reportedly raided the Abuja and Yenagoa homes of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Timipre Sylva, arresting his brother. Economy Post, however, could not get the names of the officers from the presidency.

Officers earlier named

However, Premium Times had earlier produced a list of the 16 officers alleged to have been involved in the coup plot.

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.

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.