Names And Profiles Of 16 Nigerian Military Officers Arrested Over Alleged Coup Plot

As the Nigerian Army continues to dig deeper into the alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, new information has surfaced about 16 senior military officers reportedly linked to the failed attempt.

According to Premium Times, sources familiar with the probe said that 14 of the detained officers are from the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two serve in the Navy and Air Force.

Out of the 14 army officers, 12 belong to the Infantry Corps, the combat arm responsible for ground operations.

It was gathered that one officer serves in the Signals Corps, which handles communication systems, while another is from the Ordnance Corps, which manages weapons, vehicles, and ammunition supplies.

The detained officers include one brigadier general, one colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and one lieutenant.

The remaining two are a lieutenant commander from the Navy and a squadron leader from the Air Force.

Although the Nigerian government and the military have remained silent on the matter, the Defence Headquarters only clarified that the alleged coup was not the reason the 1 October Independence Day celebration was scaled down.

Below are the profiles of Nigerian military officers detained for the alleged coup plot

1. Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq

Born on 3 January 1974, Brigadier General Sadiq (service number N/10321) is believed to have led the coup plot. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in August 1992 and graduated in September 1997 as part of Regular Course 44.

An indigene of Nasarawa State, he rose to colonel in 2015 and brigadier general in 2019. He serves in the Infantry Corps.

This is not his first controversy. In October 2024, he was detained over allegations of diverting rice palliatives and selling military equipment as scrap. He previously commanded the 3rd Brigade in Kano and served as Garrison Commander of the 81 Division in Lagos.

2. Colonel M.A. Ma’aji

Colonel Ma’aji (service number N/10668) was born on 1 March 1976 and hails from Niger State. He joined the NDA in 1995 and graduated in 2000.

An Infantry officer from the 47 Regular Course, Ma’aji reportedly played a key role in planning the coup, though this claim is yet to be confirmed.

He became a lieutenant colonel in 2013 and a colonel in 2017. Before his arrest, he commanded the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo State, and participated in Operation Crocodile Smile II in 2017. He also served under Operation Delta Safe.

3. Lt. Colonel S. Bappah

Lt. Colonel Bappah (service number N/13036) is from Bauchi State. Born on 21 June 1984, he trained at the NDA from 2004 to 2008 under the 56 Regular Course. He serves in the Signals Corps, responsible for military communication systems.

4. Lt. Colonel A.A. Hayatu

Born on 13 August 1983, Lt. Colonel Hayatu (service number N/13038) is from Kaduna State. He trained at the NDA from 2004 to 2008 and is also a member of the 56 Regular Course. He serves in the Infantry Corps.

5. Lt. Colonel P. Dangnap

Lt. Colonel Dangnap (service number N/13025) is from Plateau State and was born on 1 April 1986. He trained at the NDA from 2004 to 2008 under the 56 Regular Course. An Infantry officer, Dangnap was court-martialed in 2015 with 29 others for offences related to the Boko Haram conflict.

6. Lt. Colonel M. Almakura

Lt. Colonel Almakura (service number N/12983) hails from Nasarawa State. Born on 18 March 1983, he trained at the NDA between 2004 and 2008 and belongs to the Infantry Corps and the 56 Regular Course.

7. Major A.J. Ibrahim

Born on 12 June 1987, Major Ibrahim (service number N/13065) is from Gombe State and serves in the Infantry Corps. He trained at the NDA between 2004 and 2008 as part of the 56 Regular Course and was promoted to captain in 2013.

8. Major M.M. Jiddah

Major Jiddah (service number N/13003) is from Katsina State. Born on 9 July 1985, he trained at the NDA from 2004 to 2008 and serves in the Infantry Corps under the 56 Regular Course.

9. Major M.A. Usman

Born on 1 April 1989, Major Usman (service number N/15404) hails from the Federal Capital Territory.
He trained at the NDA between 2008 and 2012 under the 60 Regular Course and serves in the Infantry Corps.

10. Major D. Yusuf

Major Yusuf (service number N/14753) was born on 26 May 1988 and is from Gombe State. He is a member of the Ordnance Corps and trained at the NDA between 2007 and 2012 as part of the 59 Regular Course.

11. Major I. Dauda

Major Dauda (service number N/13625) joined the Army through the Direct Short Service Commission. Born on 26 November 1983 in Jigawa State, he trained from June 2009 to March 2010 as part of Short Service Course 38. He serves in the Infantry Corps.

12. Captain Ibrahim Bello

Captain Bello (service number N/16266) was born on 28 July 1987 and joined the Army through Direct Short Service Course 43.

13. Captain A.A. Yusuf

Captain Yusuf (service number N/16724) is an officer in the Nigerian Army.

14. Lieutenant S.S. Felix

Lieutenant Felix (service number N/18105) serves in the Nigerian Army.

15. Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi

Lieutenant Commander Abdullahi (service number NN/3289) is a Nigerian Navy officer.

16. Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu

Squadron Leader Adamu (service number NAF/3481) serves in the Nigerian Air Force.

Further details about the investigation and the specific roles of the officers are still emerging, as the military continues to keep official statements to a minimum.

KanyiDaily had reported how the 16 top-ranking military officers were arrested by Nigeria’s Armed Forces over the alleged plan to overthrow President Bola Tinubu,