Keypoints:
- Army dismisses coup plot allegations
- 16 officers held for indiscipline
- Defence says democracy not at risk
NIGERIA’S military authorities have firmly rejected reports that more than a dozen officers were arrested over a coup plot, calling the claims ‘entirely false’ and urging the public to ignore speculation.
The denial followed reports by Sahara Reporters and Premium Times alleging that 16 officers were detained for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, who came to power in 2023 following a tightly contested election.
Military rejects reports as false
‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to categorically state that the claims by the said publication are entirely false,’ said Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, in a statement on Saturday.
Though Gusau did not specify which outlets he was referring to, his statement appeared to counter the reports circulating widely online. He added that the ongoing investigation into the officers’ conduct was ‘a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism within the ranks’.
Background to the arrests
Earlier this month, the Nigerian Army confirmed that 16 officers had been detained for what it described as ‘issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations’.
‘Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues,’ the statement said.
Both Sahara Reporters and Premium Times had cited unnamed defence sources linking the arrests to an alleged coup plot. However, the Defence Headquarters has dismissed that interpretation as unfounded and damaging to morale within the ranks.
History of military intervention
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has a turbulent political history marked by several coups and years of military rule since independence from Britain in 1960.
The country has enjoyed more than 25 years of uninterrupted civilian governance since 1999, its longest democratic stretch to date. A military takeover would mark a dramatic reversal of those democratic gains.
Army reaffirms loyalty to democracy
In his statement, Gusau reaffirmed the military’s loyalty to Nigeria’s constitution and to the leadership of President Tinubu.
‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains committed to the protection of the nation’s democratic institutions and will continue to uphold peace and stability across the country,’ he said.
No further details have been released about the detained officers or the progress of the internal investigation.
The presidency has not commented directly on the reports, but aides to President Tinubu have previously dismissed similar rumours as ‘baseless’.
