iDeemlawfulThe Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on January 26, 2026, confirmed a military coup attempt against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, earlier reported by Sahara Reporters on October 18, 2025.
According to SaharaReporters, officers ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency over allegations of holding covert meetings aimed at overthrowing the government.
The DHQ stated that investigations into alleged misconduct by some personnel uncovered claims of a plan to topple the government.
It will be recalled that in October last year, the DHQ announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and violations of service regulations.
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The report also linked the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade to the alleged coup plot.
Reacting at the time, the former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, described the publication as an attempt to incite tension and mistrust among Nigerians, stressing that the matter was purely a disciplinary issue being handled internally.
“The ongoing investigation involving the sixteen officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism are maintained within the ranks. An investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings will be made public,” the statement said.
However, months after the initial report, the new Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed that a thorough investigation had been carried out in line with established military procedures.
He said the outcome showed that some officers had cases to answer over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, and that the report had been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.
The statement partly read, “The Defence Headquarters issued a press statement in October 2025 regarding the arrest of sixteen officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that investigations into the matter have been concluded and the report forwarded to appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.
“The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.
“The findings have identified a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the AFN.”
Uba further stated that those indicted would be formally arraigned before relevant military judicial panels to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and applicable service regulations.
He emphasised that the process would ensure accountability while safeguarding fairness and due process.
The DHQ spokesperson also noted that the steps being taken were strictly disciplinary and part of institutional mechanisms to maintain order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks.
Uba added, “Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations. This ensures accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process.
“The AFN reiterates that measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the ranks.
“The Armed Forces remain resolute in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, loyalty, and respect for constitutional authority.”
Full list of top politicians marked for assassination by Nigerian coup plotters in 2025:
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
At the top of the alleged assassination list was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Reports indicated that the plan was to assassinate the president on Nigeria’s Independence Day anniversary, October 1, 2025.
As part of the alleged preparations, the coup plotters were said to have conducted surveillance around the Aso Rock Presidential Villa and gathered details on its security framework, regarded as one of the most fortified locations in the country.
- Vice-President Kashim Shettima
Next on the list was Vice-President Kashim Shettima. His name reportedly appeared alongside that of the president, with plans for both to be assassinated simultaneously in what would have been the bloodiest coup in Nigeria’s history if successful.
- Godswill Akpabio (Senate President)
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, ranked third in national hierarchy, was also listed among the targets. He was allegedly to be assassinated alongside President Tinubu, Vice-President Shettima and others.
- Tajudeen Abbas (Speaker, House of Representatives)
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, was the fourth individual on the alleged list of targets in the plot to disrupt Nigeria’s uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999.
- General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff
General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, who was the Chief of Army Staff at the time of the alleged plot, was identified as a key target due to his position.
However, it was gathered that the coup plotters did not intend to kill him and other senior military officers unless they resisted.
On October 30, 2025, shortly after SaharaReporters published the coup report, Oluyede was promoted to Chief of Defence Staff following the removal of his predecessor, General Christopher Musa.
- Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar
Before his replacement on October 30, 2025, former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, was also reportedly listed among military officials marked for arrest or assassination. His role was considered strategic due to his ability to command air operations.
- Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (Chief of Naval Staff)
Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, a Vice Admiral in the Nigerian Navy, served as Chief of Naval Staff after being appointed by President Tinubu on June 19, 2023, and remained in office until October 30, 2025.
- Retired General Christopher Musa
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, alleged in a recent interview that the coup plotters planned to shoot him if he resisted arrest.
Speaking on Channels Television, Musa said he was a prime “target” of the officers behind the failed coup.
The minister, who was Chief of Defence Staff at the time the plot was allegedly conceived, said those behind it were aware of the consequences.
Describing the plotters as “unserious individuals,” the former Chief of Defence Staff said he could not understand their motives.
“I was also a target. I am sure you know. I was supposed to be arrested and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot,” he said.
“Anybody who goes into a coup… because you succeed, good, you don’t succeed, whatever the consequences come, you are ready for it.
“But again, these guys were just a bunch of very unserious individuals. If you look at the calibre of persons (the coup plotters), I don’t know what got into their heads that they could take on the Armed Forces like that. Even Nigerians would have fought them.”
The alleged assassination list was also said to include other service chiefs, commanders, guards brigades and several others. It was learnt that some officers were assigned to take control of strategic locations, including the Presidential Villa, the Armed Forces of Nigeria Complex, Niger Barracks and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.