Alleged Coup: Tinubu Told To Release Detained Soldiers

A pro-democracy group, the Concerned Pro-Democratic Activists of Nigeria, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to consider the release of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot in October 2025.

The group raised concerns over what it described as the deteriorating health of some of the officers and their prolonged detention without trial.

On October 4, 2025, the former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, announced the arrest of 16 military officers for breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.

According to the military, investigations revealed that the officers’ grievances were linked to perceived career stagnation arising from repeated failure in promotion examinations.

However, reports later emerged suggesting that the officers were detained over an alleged failed coup plot, following the Federal Government’s sudden cancellation of the Independence Day Parade on October 1, 2025. The military and the government subsequently denied that the arrests were linked to a coup attempt.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, the Chairman of the group, Yusuf Musa Dauda, said some of the officers had fallen seriously ill in detention and were allegedly not receiving adequate medical attention.

Dauda also decried the denial of access to family members, saying relatives had not been allowed to see or communicate with the detained officers since their arrest.

“This is happening in a democratic era, yet these officers have been held for months without trial or proper legal procedures,” he said.

Dauda said while the group condemned any attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government, it was concerned about the manner in which the matter was being handled.

“We strongly condemn any act of overthrow of government undemocratically, but we appeal to the authorities to look into this issue with fairness and justice,” he said.

He urged President Tinubu and relevant authorities to ensure the officers receive proper medical attention and are allowed to communicate with their families to ease their anxiety.

The group further appealed to the Federal Government to either release the detained officers if there was no case against them or charge them to court to allow due legal process.

“They should kindly release them if there is no case against them or charge them to court for legal procedures to prove the allegations,” Dauda said.

He expressed optimism that the appeal would receive favourable consideration.