THE Nigerian Armed Forces have announced that several officers will be arraigned before a military judicial panel over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military said the decision follows the conclusion of investigations conducted in line with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.
According to the statement, the Defence Headquarters had earlier confirmed in October 2025 that 16 officers were arrested for acts of indiscipline and violations of service rules.
The Armed Forces said investigations into the matter have now been completed, with findings forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.
The military noted that the investigation, carried out in accordance with established procedures, identified some officers allegedly involved in activities inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards expected of personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Among the findings were allegations of a plot to overthrow the government.
The statement stressed that the measures being taken are strictly disciplinary and form part of institutional mechanisms to maintain order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the military.
Officers with cases to answer will be formally tried before an appropriate military judicial panel, in line with due process and existing regulations.
The Armed Forces reiterated their commitment to professionalism, loyalty, and respect for constitutional authority, describing the ongoing actions as necessary to preserve the integrity of the institution.
The development follows the military’s announcement in October 2025 that 16 officers had been arrested over alleged indiscipline and service violations.
At the time, the Armed Forces explained that preliminary findings linked the officers’ actions to frustrations arising from repeated failures in promotion examinations and concerns over stalled career progression.
Speculation surrounding a possible coup plot had also been linked to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary parade.
However, the Defence Headquarters had dismissed reports claiming the officers were arrested over coup-related activities, explaining that the parade was cancelled to enable President Bola Tinubu to attend an overseas engagement and to allow troops to sustain momentum in ongoing security operations.
The military has consistently maintained that it remains loyal to the Constitution and the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
Meanwhile, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to provide clarity on the alleged coup plot, citing what it described as conflicting signals from government and military authorities.
The party urged the government to make a clear and categorical statement on the matter, warning that silence could fuel speculation.