Fresh details have emerged on the identities of the 16 senior military officers currently in detention over an alleged foiled coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
It was gathered that 14 of the detained officers are from the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two are personnel of the Navy and the Air Force. Sources familiar with the ongoing investigation said that 12 of the 14 army officers belong to the Infantry Corps, one to the Signals Corps, and another to the Ordnance Corps.
Investigators revealed that the detained officers cut across different command structures and operational formations, with one brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant from the army. The others include a lieutenant commander from the Navy and a squadron leader from the Air Force.
The detained officers are being interrogated for their alleged roles in the suspected plot, which security sources described as “well-coordinated and deeply concerning.”
Below is the full list and background of the 16 officers currently under investigation:
1. Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq
Born on January 3, 1974, Brig. Gen. Sadiq, with service number N/10321, hails from Nasarawa State and is believed to be the alleged ringleader of the failed plot. A member of the 44th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), he was commissioned in 1997 after cadet training that began in August 1992.
He previously commanded the 3rd Brigade in Kano and served as Garrison Commander of the 81 Division, Lagos. In October 2024, he was reportedly detained over allegations of selling military equipment and diverting palliatives.
2. Colonel M. A. Ma’aji
Col. Ma’aji, born March 1, 1976, is from Niger State and a member of the 47th Regular Course. With service number N/10668, he is an Infantry Corps officer and former Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion, Okitipupa, Ondo State. He also served with Operation Delta Safe and took part in Operation Crocodile Smile II in the Niger Delta.
3. Lt. Colonel S. Bappah
Lt. Col. Bappah, from Bauchi State, serves in the Nigerian Army Signals Corps. Born June 21, 1984, he was commissioned after completing training between September 2004 and October 2008. His service number is N/13036.
4. Lt. Colonel A. A. Hayatu
Lt. Col. Hayatu, an Infantry Corps officer from Kaduna State, was born on August 13, 1983. He joined the army through the 56th Regular Course of the NDA and completed training in 2008. His service number is N/13038.
5. Lt. Colonel P. Dangnap
An Infantry officer from Plateau State, Lt. Col. Dangnap (N/13025) was born on April 1, 1986. He was court-martialed in 2015 alongside other soldiers during the Boko Haram conflict. He also belongs to the 56th Regular Course.
6. Lt. Colonel M. Almakura
Lt. Col. Almakura, born March 18, 1983, is from Nasarawa State and a member of the 56th Regular Course. An Infantry officer, he trained at the NDA between 2004 and 2008. His service number is N/12983.
7. Major A. J. Ibrahim
Born June 12, 1987, Major Ibrahim hails from Gombe State. A member of the Infantry Corps, he joined through the 56th Regular Course and was promoted to captain in 2013. His service number is N/13065.
8. Major M. M. Jiddah
An indigene of Katsina State, Major Jiddah (N/13003) was born July 9, 1985, and trained at the NDA from 2004 to 2008. He is an Infantry officer and a member of the 56th Regular Course.
9. Major M. A. Usman
Major Usman, from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was born April 1, 1989. A member of the 60th Regular Course, he is an Infantry officer with service number N/15404.
10. Major D. Yusuf
Born May 26, 1988, Major Yusuf serves in the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps. A member of the 59th Regular Course, he trained at the NDA from 2007 to 2012. His service number is N/14753. He hails from Gombe State.
11. Major I. Dauda
Major Dauda, from Jigawa State, joined the Army through the Direct Short Service Commission. The Infantry officer, born November 26, 1983, trained between June 2009 and March 2010 under the Short Service Course 38. His service number is N/13625.
12. Captain Ibrahim Bello
Capt. Bello, a member of the Direct Short Service Commission Course 43, was born July 28, 1987. His service number is N/16266.
13. Captain A. A. Yusuf
Capt. Yusuf is a Nigerian Army officer with service number N/16724. Further details about his background remain sketchy.
14. Lieutenant S. S. Felix
Lt. Felix, an Infantry officer with service number N/18105, is also among those detained. Limited information has been made available about his service history.
15. Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi
Lt. Cdr. Abdullahi, a Naval officer with service number NN/3289, is the only Navy personnel among the detained suspects. He holds the equivalent rank of Major in the Army.
16. Squadron Leader S. B. Adamu
Sqn. Ldr. Adamu, with service number NAF/3481, is the only Air Force officer among those under investigation. His rank is equivalent to that of a Major in the Army.
Military authorities have yet to officially confirm the identities or provide details on the progress of the investigation. However, sources say the Defence Headquarters is conducting “discreet interrogations” to ascertain the extent of involvement of each officer.
The development has heightened tension within the military establishment, as the government continues to emphasize loyalty, professionalism, and discipline among serving officers.