The last may not have been heard on the October 1st foiled coup after fresh facts emerged regarding the identities of at least 16 Nigerian military officers allegedly involved in the plot.
According to a decent source, 14 of the detainees are from the Nigerian Army, including one brigadier general, one colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and one lieutenant.
The other two officers include a Lieutenant Commander from the Navy and a Squadron Leader from the Air Force, both equivalent to majors.
Premium Times revealed that most Army officers belong to the Infantry Corps, with one from the Signals Corps and another from the Ordnance Corps. Many of the detainees are graduates of the 56th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) who trained between September 2004 and October 2008, with six from this group among the first arrested.
The remaining Army officers come from various other NDA courses. Sources indicate that 15 of the detained officers are from Nigeria’s North Central, North East, and North West geopolitical zones, while one lieutenant is from the South West.
The foiled coup plot
The Army’s resolve to investigate the foiled coup scare report comes amid heightened speculation of discontent within the ranks, after a reliable source revealed that the conspirators intended to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, among others.
However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) debunked media reports about a military coup attempt in Nigeria, saying they were false and misleading.
Also, the Presidency explained that the appointment of new service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu was a routine administrative exercise consistent with his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Tinubu’s sudden shake-up
Weeks after the foiled coup, President Tinubu made a surprising move that left many Nigerians astonished: he dismissed the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and appointed the former Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, in his place. Additionally, Major General Waidi Shaibu was appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke became the Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas was named the new Chief of Naval Staff. Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye retained his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence. However, the Presidency did not link these changes to the alleged coup plot.
The military arrested 16 officers, but insiders reported that the number of suspects has increased over time. Sahara Reporters revealed that, as part of the ongoing investigation, military personnel raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, arresting his brother, who also served as his personal assistant. Sylva denied any involvement in the coup plot.
Through his spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, he stated that he was in the UK for a medical check-up and planned to travel to Malaysia for a conference. Bokoru indicated that “individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters” conducted the raid on his principal’s home without providing a reason for their actions.
