How Brig-Gen Musa Sadiq Became Entangled In Foiled Coup Plot Against Tinubu

Fresh details have emerged on the role of Brigadier General Musa Sadiq in the alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, as military authorities formally confirmed plans to prosecute officers indicted in the foiled attempt.

According to Premium Times, Sadiq was among the 16 military officers arrested and detained in October last year in connection with the plot, which security sources say partly informed the Federal Government’s decision to cancel the October 1, 2025 Independence Day parade.

Of the 16 initially arrested officers, 14 are from the Nigerian Army, while one each is from the Navy and the Air Force. Further arrests of additional officers and civilians were later made as investigations widened.

Military authorities initially downplayed reports of a coup plot, insisting that the officers were being investigated for “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.”

However, on January 26, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that investigations had uncovered evidence of a plot to overthrow the government, announcing that officers with cases to answer would be arraigned before military judicial panels.

“The investigation identified a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the Defence Headquarters said.

Sadiq’s alleged role

Although some intelligence briefs previously described Sadiq as a suspected leader of the plot, military sources familiar with the investigation told Premium Times that the core allegation against the brigadier general relates to prior knowledge of the plot and failure to report it.

According to the sources, Sadiq is not accused of directly participating in the execution of the coup plan but is alleged to have been informed about it by officers involved in its planning.

Investigators allege that instead of alerting relevant authorities, he failed to act on the information, a conduct said to constitute a serious breach of military discipline.

“This is why investigators are treating him as an accessory rather than a principal actor,” one source said.

Profile of the officer

Born on January 3, 1974, Sadiq is a serving brigadier general with service number N/10321. He trained at the Nigerian Defence Academy between August 14, 1992 and September 20, 1997 as a member of Regular Course 44.

An indigene of Nasarawa State, he is an infantry officer who rose through the ranks, attaining the rank of colonel in 2015 and brigadier general in 2019.

He has held several strategic command positions, including Commander of the 3rd Brigade in Kano and Garrison Commander of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos.

Previous allegations

This is not the first time Sadiq has faced scrutiny. In October 2024, he was reportedly detained over allegations of gross misconduct, including the diversion of rice palliatives and the sale of military equipment such as generators and operational vehicles to scrap dealers.

Although those allegations are separate from the current coup-related investigation, they have resurfaced as part of a broader review of his service record.

Military authorities have yet to issue a formal public statement on Sadiq’s specific case. Sources say investigations are ongoing and that due process will be followed. Sadiq has not publicly responded to the allegations.