As the Nigerian military deepens investigations into an alleged coup attempt against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, PREMIUM TIMES has exclusively obtained the names and background details of 16 senior officers currently in detention over their suspected involvement.
Sources familiar with the ongoing probe revealed that 14 of the detained officers are from the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two are personnel of the Navy and Air Force respectively.
Majority From Infantry Corps
Further intelligence indicates that 12 of the 14 Army suspects are infantry officers — the country’s frontline combat branch responsible for ground operations. One officer is attached to the Signals Corps, while the other serves under the Ordnance Corps, which oversees military weapons and logistics.
The breakdown of the ranks includes:
- 1 Brigadier General
- 1 Colonel
- 4 Lieutenant Colonels
- 5 Majors
- 2 Captains
- 1 Lieutenant
- 1 Navy Lieutenant Commander
- 1 Air Force Squadron Leader
Both the Nigerian government and Defence Headquarters have maintained silence on the alleged coup plot, only hinting that it was not behind the low-key Independence Day celebrations on October 1.
Profiles of the Detained Officers
Below are verified profiles of the officers as obtained:
1. Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq
- Service Number: N/10321
- Born: 3 January 1974 (Nasarawa State)
- Course: RC 44 (1992–1997)
- Corps: Infantry
- Alleged role: Believed to be the leader of the coup plot
- Previously detained in 2024 over alleged diversion of palliatives and unauthorised sale of military assets. Former Commander, 3 Brigade (Kano) and Garrison Commander, 81 Division (Lagos).
2. Colonel M.A. Ma’aji
- Service Number: N/10668
- Born: 1 March 1976 (Niger State)
- Course: RC 47
- Corps: Infantry
- Former Commanding Officer, 19 Battalion, Nigerian Army. Also served under Operation Crocodile Smile II and Operation Delta Safe. Alleged to have acted as strategic coordinator.
3. Lt. Colonel S. Bappah
- Service Number: N/13036
- Born: 21 June 1984 (Bauchi State)
- Corps: Signals
- Course: RC 56
4. Lt. Colonel A.A. Hayatu
- Service Number: N/13038
- Born: 13 August 1983 (Kaduna State)
- Corps: Infantry
- Course: RC 56
5. Lt. Colonel P. Dangnap
- Service Number: N/13025
- Born: 1 April 1986 (Plateau State)
- Corps: Infantry
- Course: RC 56
- Court-martialed in 2015 over alleged misconduct during anti-Boko Haram operations.
6. Lt. Colonel M. Almakura
- Service Number: N/12983
- Born: 18 March 1983 (Nasarawa State)
- Corps: Infantry
- Course: RC 56
7. Major A.J. Ibrahim
- Service Number: N/13065
- Born: 12 June 1987 (Gombe State)
- Corps: Infantry
- Course: RC 56
8. Major M.M. Jiddah
- Service Number: N/13003
- Born: 9 July 1985 (Katsina State)
- Corps: Infantry
- Course: RC 56
9. Major M.A. Usman
- Service Number: N/15404
- Born: 1 April 1989 (FCT)
- Corps: Infantry
- Course: RC 60
10. Major D. Yusuf
- Service Number: N/14753
- Born: 26 May 1988 (Gombe State)
- Corps: Ordnance
- Course: RC 59
11. Major I. Dauda
- Service Number: N/13625
- Born: 26 November 1983 (Jigawa State)
- Corps: Infantry
- Course: DSSC 38
Officers With Partial Records Available
| Name | Rank | Service Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Bello | Captain | N/16266 | DSSC 43 |
| A.A. Yusuf | Captain | N/16724 | Limited details available |
| S.S. Felix | Lieutenant | N/18105 | Limited details available |
| D.B. Abdullahi | Lieutenant Commander (Navy) | NN/3289 | Rank equivalent to Major |
| S.B. Adamu | Squadron Leader (Air Force) | NAF/3481 | Rank equivalent to Major |
More information may emerge as interrogation continues and the military determines whether to escalate charges, initiate court-martials, or release any of the suspects.
