The military has submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the findings of its investigation into an alleged coup plot involving 16 detained officers.
Sources from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the presidency said the months-long probe has been completed and the report handed over to the President, who will determine the next steps.
“Those tasked with investigating the officers have concluded their work and submitted the report to the President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” a military source told journalists.
“All I can say is that the officers were indicted, and they will face sanctions once the President gives his approval,” the source added.
Another source at the Presidential Villa confirmed that the military briefed Mr. Tinubu that the coup attempt was real. “The report clearly shows that there was an attempt by the detained officers to carry out the plot reported in the media,” the source said.
The group of detained officers includes a brigadier-general, a colonel, several lieutenant colonels, majors, and junior officers. Brig.-Gen. Musa Abubakar Sadiq has been identified as a suspected ringleader.
The military had earlier described the arrests as related to “indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” noting that some grievances among the officers stemmed from career stagnation and other issues.
“Upon completion of the investigation, indicted officers will face the full military disciplinary process,” the Armed Forces stated in October.
Rights groups have called for humane treatment and due process. Yusuf Musa Dauda of Concerned Pro-Democratic Activists warned about the detainees’ health and said families have been denied access, urging fair judgment.
Any sanctions, including possible court-martial, will depend on the President’s decision.
