Nigeria’s military has announced that an internal investigation into misconduct allegations against 16 officers arrested last year has uncovered evidence suggesting that some of them may have been involved in plans to overthrow the government. The Defence Headquarters said on Monday that the findings were serious enough for those implicated to now face formal trial.
In a statement, the military said the probe established what it described as firm cases against several of the detained officers, including allegations related to plotting against the constitutional order. While the statement stopped short of providing operational details, timelines, or the exact number of officers allegedly involved in the plot, it underscored the gravity of the accusations and the decision to move the matter to trial.
The officers were initially arrested in 2025 over what the military broadly described as professional misconduct. At the time, authorities gave limited information, citing national security concerns. The latest disclosure suggests that the scope of the investigation widened as inquiries progressed, uncovering actions that went beyond disciplinary breaches and into matters of national security.
Nigeria has experienced multiple military coups in its post independence history, although it has remained under civilian rule since 1999. In recent years, the wave of military takeovers across parts of West Africa, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, has heightened sensitivity within Nigeria’s security establishment to any perceived threat of unconstitutional change of government. Military leaders have repeatedly stressed their loyalty to democratic governance and the chain of command.
The Defence Headquarters said due process would be followed as the accused officers are brought before the appropriate legal and military judicial bodies. It did not indicate whether the trials would be conducted in open court or through military tribunals, which are typically used for cases involving serving officers and sensitive security matters.
Security analysts say the announcement is likely intended to send a strong signal both within the armed forces and to the wider public that the military will not tolerate actions that undermine constitutional order. It also reflects efforts by the high command to reinforce discipline and cohesion within the ranks at a time of complex security challenges, including insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest and separatist tensions in other parts of the country.
The military has not commented on whether the alleged plot had advanced beyond discussions or planning, nor whether any civilian actors were involved. Officials said further details may emerge during court proceedings.
For now, the case adds a rare and serious dimension to Nigeria’s internal security landscape, highlighting the continued importance of oversight, accountability and adherence to democratic norms within one of Africa’s largest and most influential armed forces.
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