PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu was the primary target of a foiled coup attempt uncovered by military intelligence, with investigators revealing that serving officers had begun detailed preparations to violently seize power in October 2025.

An interim investigation report showed that the plot centred on a serving Army colonel, who allegedly built a secret, cross-service network involving officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force. The group reportedly planned coordinated strikes on the Presidential Villa, key military formations and major airports in Abuja and Lagos as part of the takeover blueprint.

Security officials said the conspiracy was uncovered through intelligence on disgruntled elements within the Armed Forces and parts of the civil population, leading to arrests, interrogations and link analysis that exposed what investigators described as a structured coup network rather than isolated dissent, The Punch reported.

According to the report, the colonel, who is said to have failed promotion examinations twice, used his frustration to rally other officers, repeatedly complaining about career stagnation and advocating the need for a change in government. He was identified as the driving force behind recruitment, financing and motivation of the group.

Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq Source’Premium Times

In October 2025, the Defence Headquarters announced the arrest of 16 officers for breaches of military regulations. Media reports later linked the arrests to clandestine meetings aimed at overthrowing the government, a development that coincided with the cancellation of the Independence Day parade on October 1.

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While the allegations were initially downplayed by the then Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau (retd.), who described the matter as an internal disciplinary issue, the military confirmed that an investigative panel had been set up.

On Monday, the new Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed that the investigation had been concluded and forwarded to the appropriate superior authority in line with military procedures.

Investigators said the alleged plot had advanced into early operational stages, including surveillance of sensitive locations such as the Presidential Villa, the Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja and international airports. The report warned that these actions bore the hallmarks of deliberate coup planning.

Searches carried out during the investigation reportedly uncovered charms and anti-government materials in the colonel’s vehicle. A separate raid on his residence in Lokogoma, Apo, allegedly produced documents detailing operational roles, funding arrangements and plans concerning the handling of key national figures during the operation.

Financial inducements of between N2 million and N5 million were allegedly paid to some officers to support logistics and mobilisation, with investigators tracing parts of the funding to additional financiers now under scrutiny. The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit is analysing related transaction trails, the report said.

One of the suspects, Lt Col S. Bappah, was identified as a key cooperating witness, with investigators saying his testimony provided critical details on recruitment strategies, funding flows and communication channels used by the group.

Encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp and Zangi were allegedly deployed for coordination, while discreet vehicle servicing and fund movements suggested preparatory logistics, according to the report.

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The 16 suspects are currently in custody. The coup, allegedly scheduled for October 25, 2025, was described as potentially lethal, with President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministers, service chiefs and other senior officials reportedly marked for elimination.

Security sources said the cross-service nature of the network, involvement of senior officers and identification of strategic assets made the threat immediate and severe, justifying swift preventive action.

Investigations have since widened to include civilian collaborators, financiers and possible political contacts. Intelligence reviews reportedly mentioned a former minister, though no charges have been filed.

The Defence Headquarters said all indicted personnel would face trial before an appropriate military judicial panel, stressing that the probe went beyond uniforms alone.

Officers earlier named

Economy Post had earlier mentioned the names of the 16 officers

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.