No fewer than 15 additional military officers have been arrested over an alleged coup plot against the Federal Government, bringing the total number of detained personnel to over 40.
Sources told Vanguard that the latest arrests followed confessional statements obtained from the initial 16 officers already in custody.
The suspects reportedly revealed the roles of the newly arrested officers in what investigators have described as a “grand plot.”
Security agencies are said to be analysing communication exchanges among the detained officers, a move that could lead to more arrests as investigations continue.
Findings revealed that the first batch of 16 officers currently in custody includes one Brigadier General, one Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Army Captains, one Squadron Leader, and one Army Lieutenant.
Their names were given as: Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course), Colonel M.A. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Course), Lt Col S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th Course).
Others are: Lt Col A.A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th Course), Lt Col Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Course), Lt Col M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Course), Major A.J. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th Course), Major M.M. Jiddah (Katsina, 56th Course), Major M.A. Usman (FCT, 60th Course), Major D. Yusuf (Gombe, 59th Course), Major I. Dauda (Jigawa, DSSC 38), Captain I. Bello (DSSC 43), Captain A.A. Yusuf, Lieutenant S.S. Felix (DSSC), Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (Navy), and Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (Air Force).
Most of the arrested officers are said to be from the Infantry Corps, Signals Corps, and Ordnance Corps.
Funds traced to ex-governor, minister
Security insiders disclosed that investigators have traced a significant sum of money to the network suspected of bankrolling the alleged plot.
Collaboration between the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other agencies reportedly linked the funds to a former governor who also served as a minister of state.
According to sources, the detained officers have been cooperating with investigators, giving detailed accounts of their recruitment process and assigned roles in the alleged scheme.
Although the Defence Headquarters is yet to officially react to the latest development, it was gathered that the military authorities are handling the case discreetly until investigations are concluded.
The fresh arrests come three weeks after the Defence Headquarters confirmed that 16 officers had earlier been detained for “acts of indiscipline” and violations of service regulations.
Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, had said at the time that the arrests arose from a routine military exercise, adding that the affected officers had expressed grievances over career stagnation and repeated failures in promotion examinations.
“Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offenses, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service,” Gusau stated.
He added that the officers would face full military disciplinary procedures after investigations, noting that the exercise aimed to preserve order, discipline, and loyalty in the armed forces.
“The armed forces will not tolerate any behaviour that undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority,” he said.
Gusau reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to their constitutional responsibilities and to upholding professionalism within the ranks.