Fresh revelations have surfaced regarding the alleged foiled coup plot of October 1, with the identities of at least sixteen Nigerian military officers reportedly implicated in the incident.
According to reliable sources, fourteen of the detained officers are from the Nigerian Army, including a brigadier general, a 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, both ranks equivalent to major.
Investigations indicate that most of the Army officers belong to the Infantry Corps, while others serve in the Signals and Ordnance Corps.
Many of them are graduates of the 56th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), who trained between September 2004 and October 2008.
At least six from this group were reportedly among the first arrested, while the remaining officers are said to be drawn from other NDA courses.
Further findings suggest that fifteen of the suspects hail from Nigeria’s North Central, North East, and North West regions, while one lieutenant comes from the South West.
Sources within the military disclosed that the alleged conspirators had plotted to assassinate key government figures, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), however, dismissed reports of a coup attempt as "false and misleading," insisting that there was no threat to Nigeria’s democracy, urging the public to disregard speculation.
Similarly, the Presidency clarified that the recent appointment of new service chiefs by President Tinubu was a "routine administrative exercise" carried out under his constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief.
Despite official denials, the alleged plot has continued to generate ripples within the military.
Weeks after the reported coup attempt, President Tinubu dismissed the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, and replaced him with the former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede.
He also appointed Maj Gen Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
Maj Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Although the Presidency did not directly link these changes to the alleged coup, military insiders suggest that the reshuffle may not be unrelated to ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, the number of suspects reportedly under detention has increased. Sahara Reporters disclosed that investigators recently raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva, arresting his brother, who also served as his personal assistant.
Reacting to the development, Sylva, through his spokesperson Julius Bokoru, denied any connection to the alleged coup plot.
He explained that he was in the United Kingdom (UK) for medical treatment and scheduled to travel to Malaysia for a conference.
Bokoru alleged that "individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters" carried out the raid on Sylva’s home without offering any explanation for their actions.
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