A recent report has sparked intense speculation about a potential coup against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, alleging that 16 senior military officers were detained for plotting to overthrow the government.
Published amid preparations for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, the story claims the officers, ranging from captains to a brigadier general, were arrested not for routine disciplinary issues but for orchestrating a takeover.
Anonymous sources from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) describe secret meetings and a thwarted plan to seize power from “selfish politicians.”
The report’s timing, coupled with Nigeria’s history of military coups, has fueled public unease, highlighting the fragile trust in institutions and the impact of unverified leaks in a politically charged climate.
The outlet behind the story, a New York-based investigative platform founded in 2006, is known for exposing corruption through insider sources, often targeting Nigeria’s ruling elite.
Its claims rely on an alleged DIA official who alleges the officers, frustrated by career stagnation and political mismanagement, planned to establish a military junta.
Intelligence from the DIA and other agencies reportedly led to the officers’ arrests at their homes nationwide. Critics, however, question the outlet’s credibility, citing its history of sensationalism and potential opposition bias, especially against Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress.
Without concrete evidence like documents or named sources, the report teeters between whistleblowing and speculation, amplifying tensions in a nation wary of its coup-ridden past.
The alleged plot centered on the October 1 Independence Day parade in Abuja, a high-profile event symbolising national unity. Sources claim the officers intended to exploit the occasion to assassinate Tinubu and other leaders, using the chaos to stage a takeover.
The parade’s last-minute cancellation, reportedly ordered by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and service chiefs, is cited as evidence of a security panic. Nigeria’s history of coups—five successful since 1960—lends plausibility to such fears, as public events have previously been exploited for power grabs.
Yet, the absence of corroborating evidence and the report’s reliance on unnamed insiders invite scepticism, particularly given public discontent over Tinubu’s economic reforms.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) swiftly countered the allegations, labelling them “false, malicious, and intended to sow discord.” In a statement on October 4, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau clarified that the officers were detained for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” such as failing promotion exams, not for coup plotting.
The parade’s cancellation, the DHQ explained, was to allow Tinubu’s attendance at a bilateral summit and to prioritise counter-terrorism efforts.
An ongoing investigation, with results to be publicised, aims to restore calm. The military’s insistence on professionalism clashes with Nigeria’s history of opaque security operations, leaving room for public doubt.
This episode underscores the delicate balance of media freedom in Nigeria, where investigative reports fill gaps left by state narratives but risk destabilising an already tense democracy.
With a legacy of military rule spanning 29 years, coup rumours evoke deep-seated fears. Tinubu’s government, already navigating legitimacy challenges, faces heightened scrutiny as the probe unfolds.
Whether the allegations prove true or fade as misinformation, they highlight Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to separate fact from fiction in a nation where history looms large, and trust remains scarce.