Nigeria’s military high command – Defence Headquarters – has finally confirmed that there was indeed a coup plot to topple the Tinubu government. The attempt was foiled and some service men arrested would soon be tried, according to military traditions.
In a statement on Monday, the military said that a full report of investigation into the coup plot has submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to findings made available to the Presidency, the investigation was conducted by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) following the arrest and detention of the officers late in 2025. While early media reports described the case as an attempted coup against the Tinubu administration, the military officially framed the probe as an inquiry into “acts of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
Sources familiar with the report said the investigation lasted several weeks and examined communication records, meetings, and actions of the officers, who cut across the Army, Navy and Air Force, with ranks ranging from Lieutenant to Brigadier-General. One of the most senior officers reportedly under scrutiny is a Brigadier-General, alleged to have had prior knowledge of the activities but failed to report them through appropriate military channels.
Although the military had initially downplayed coup allegations at the time of the arrests, insiders disclosed that the report establishes that the officers engaged in activities considered serious violations of military discipline, with some findings aligning with earlier claims of subversive intent against the constituted authority.
With the submission of the report, attention now shifts to President Tinubu, who, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is expected to decide the next line of action. Options available include court-martial proceedings, administrative sanctions, or further legal steps in line with military law and the Armed Forces Act.
The development comes amid heightened sensitivity over civil-military relations, especially following security concerns that led to a scaled-down Independence Day celebration in October 2025, a move widely linked to the unfolding situation at the time.
Meanwhile, some civil society groups and families of the detained officers have continued to call for transparency, due process, and clarity on the fate of those involved, urging authorities to balance national security considerations with the rule of law.
The Presidency has not yet issued an official statement on the report or the actions to be taken, but sources indicate a decision is expected after consultations with top security and legal officials.
