The number of military officers detained in connection with the alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly increased to 42, according to credible security sources.
The arrests, which began several weeks ago following intelligence reports of suspicious meetings and large financial movements within military circles, have now expanded to include senior and mid-level officers across various formations of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Sources within the Defence Headquarters disclosed that the widening investigation is being coordinated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), with active collaboration from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to reports, the security agencies are probing alleged links between the detained officers and certain politically exposed persons accused of financing the purported coup. Investigators are said to have traced suspicious transfers running into billions of naira to accounts allegedly connected to some of the suspects.
A senior intelligence source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said the arrests followed “credible intelligence indicating a coordinated attempt by a network of officers and civilians to undermine national security and destabilize the democratic order.”
“So far, 42 officers have been detained and are currently undergoing interrogation. More arrests are not ruled out as the investigation continues,” the source confirmed.
The military high command has remained tight-lipped about the ongoing probe, but insiders said the suspects are being held in a high-security facility in Abuja pending the conclusion of preliminary investigations.
The Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Tukur Gusau, did not immediately respond to inquiries on the development. However, officials familiar with the matter said the leadership of the Armed Forces is determined to handle the case “discreetly and professionally” to avoid panic or the spread of misinformation.
Earlier reports indicated that a sum of ₦45 billion allegedly moved from the accounts of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is part of the funds under scrutiny, with investigators suspecting that portions of the money were diverted to support destabilizing activities.
Meanwhile, security has been heightened around key government installations, including the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly, and major military barracks in Abuja and across the country.
Top military sources have described the alleged coup plot as “a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy,” warning that any attempt to subvert constitutional rule would be met with decisive force.
“This administration will not tolerate any acts of disloyalty within the ranks. The military remains committed to the Constitution and the authority of the President as Commander-in-Chief,” one senior official said.
Political analysts have urged the government to ensure transparency in handling the case, cautioning against what they described as “the potential weaponization of national security allegations for political ends.”
As investigations intensify, the detained officers are expected to face court-martial proceedings once formal charges are established. The outcome of the probe is anticipated to have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s military hierarchy and the broader political.
