By Eteteonline
In October 2025, roughly sixteen officers were arrested by Nigerian military officials. At first, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) stated that their incarceration was due to “indiscipline and breaches of service regulations,” not a coup attempt.
Although the military and administration at the time openly rejected any coup preparation, local media and social media reports propagated allegations that the arrests were connected to a plot to remove President Tinubu.
President Tinubu reorganized the Nigerian Armed Forces’ leadership after the incident. “President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture,” according to a statement signed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication.
A panel was formed by Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to look into the actions of the officers who were imprisoned.
The probe found officers involved in “actions inconsistent with military ethics and professional standards” involving plotting against the government, which DHQ openly recognized for the first time in January 2026.
Officials now admit that the investigation turned up evidence linking 16 officers to a plot against the constitutional government.
According to the Armed Forces Act and associated regulations, implicated officers will be arraigned before military court panels, the military has stated. The results—whether acquittals, court-martial convictions, or other disciplinary measures—will affect how stable the Nigerian military is seen to be.
From 1966 until 1993, there were six successful coups in Nigeria. All coup attempts since 1999 have either failed or remained accusations. The Nigerian military now openly declares its commitment to constitutional governance.
Nigeria is sensitive to any discussion of military meddling in civilian politics due to its history of military coups and coup attempts dating back to the 1990s and beyond.
The following is the timeline of coups and coup attempts in Nigeria:
15 January 1966 – First Coup – Major General T. Aguiyi-Ironsi became Head of State.
29 July 1966 – Counter-Coup – General Yakubu Gowon became Head of State
29 July 1966 – Bloodless coup – Brigadier Murtala Mohammed became Head of State.
13 February 1976 – Failed coup – General Olusegun Obasanjo became Head of State.
31 December 1983 – Buhari Coup – Major General Muhammadu Buhari became Head of State.
27 August 1985 – Babangida Coup – General Ibrahim Babangida became Head of State.
22 April 1990 – Orkar Coup – Failed coup attempt
17 November 1993 – Abacha Coup – General Sani Abacha became Head of State.
1995 – Alleged coup against General Sani Abacha
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