Sixteen Nigerian Military Officers Arrested Are Linked to Alleged Coup Plot.

Tension has gripped Nigeria’s defence circles following the arrest of sixteen senior military officers over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s Government.

Though the military authorities initially described the arrests as disciplinary action, reliable sources told SaharaReporters that the officers were actually rounded up for planning a coup d’état.

A coup d’état, simply put, is an attempt by a group often from within the military to forcibly remove a sitting government.

According to an earlier statement from the Defence Headquarters, the officers’ arrest was linked to “indiscipline, repeated failure in promotion exams, and career stagnation.” The statement, signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, insisted the matter was “a routine military exercise.”

“Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service,” the statement read in part.

However, insider sources within the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) told SaharaReporters that the official explanation was merely to calm the public.

One top officer disclosed that the group, led by a Brigadier General, had been meeting secretly to “liberate the country from selfish politicians.”

“Yes, they were planning a coup,” the source confirmed. “They wanted to overthrow President Tinubu and set up a military government. We got wind of their plan through intelligence reports and picked them up in their homes across the country.”

The officers, reportedly ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General, are currently being held at the DIA facility in Abuja.

Another insider revealed that the plot was part of the reason the October 1st Independence Day parade was abruptly cancelled.

“Their plan was to strike during the parade—shoot at the President and senior politicians, then announce a military takeover,” the source alleged. “To avoid chaos, the government quietly cancelled the event after receiving intelligence from the DIA.”

Nigeria has a long history of military coups. Since independence in 1960, the country has witnessed five successful takeovers, the last being in 1993.

In recent years, growing discontent within the military fuelled by corruption allegations, poor welfare, and leadership disputes has raised fears of renewed instability.

While the Defence Headquarters continues to downplay the matter, the arrests have sparked public concern about unity within Nigeria’s armed forces and the security of the Tinubu administration.