The Nigerian military has carried out new arrests over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Among those reportedly detained is Major H. Yusuf of the Nigerian Army, a member of the 57th Regular Course who recently completed the Senior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

Major Yusuf is said to be in custody alongside other suspects over what authorities have described as a coup plot, although details of the alleged conspiracy remain sketchy.

Investigations into the matter have been ongoing since 2025, but no formal trial has commenced, and the specifics of the alleged plan have yet to be made public. Observers have described the situation as opaque, noting the limited official disclosures so far.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (retd.), recently revealed that he was among senior officials allegedly marked for elimination by the suspected plotters.

Speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, Musa said the conspirators planned to arrest him and shoot him if he resisted.

“I was also a target,” the minister said. “I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot.”

His disclosure came days after the Armed Forces confirmed that some of the 16 officers arrested in October 2025 would be prosecuted for allegedly attempting to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration.

In October, the military announced the arrest of 16 officers for what it then described as acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.

However, authorities in January 2026 said further investigations uncovered evidence linking some of the officers to a plot aimed at destabilising the government.

In a statement, the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, said findings indicated that certain suspects were involved in actions “inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

He added that those with cases to answer would be formally arraigned before a military judicial panel in line with the Armed Forces Act and other relevant service regulations.

Alleged Wider Network, High-profile Targets

According to SaharaReporters, sources said the alleged plot extended beyond the military hierarchy, with reports suggesting that several top government officials and prominent Nigerians were listed as potential targets.

The attempted coup has also been linked in some quarters to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary parade, though authorities have not officially confirmed the connection.

Separately, the residence of former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, in Bayelsa State was reportedly raided over alleged links to the plot, but no formal charges have been publicly announced.

General Musa dismissed the suspected coup plotters as lacking the seriousness and capacity to challenge the military.

Nigeria experienced a series of military coups between 1966 and 1993 before returning to civilian rule in 1999. Since then, the country has maintained democratic governance despite persistent security and political challenges.

The latest allegations come amid a wave of military takeovers and failed plots across parts of West Africa, including a reported coup attempt in neighbouring Benin Republic late last year.

Police Inspector, 35 Officers In Custody

It was reported earlier that a police officer, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim from Taraba State, was arrested alongside military officers accused of involvement in the alleged conspiracy.

Ibrahim was reportedly picked up in Abuja by operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency and is currently in the agency’s custody.

Reports revealed that about 35 military officers are being held over the alleged plot. The detained personnel include an Army Brigadier General, two Colonels, five Lieutenant Colonels, a Wing Commander, eight Majors, a Lieutenant Commander, two Squadron Leaders, five Captains, and a Lieutenant.

Also in custody are 10 non-commissioned officers comprising a Warrant Officer, five Sergeants, one Corporal, and two Lance Corporals.

One of the detained Army Captains, identified as A. Yusuf, is from Osun State, while Squadron Leader Zuzu of the Air Force is from Bayelsa State.

Reports indicated that the remaining officers are largely from northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, with three from the FCT alone.

Two senior officers, a Brigadier General and a Lieutenant Colonel, are from Nasarawa State, while six, including three NCOs, are from Niger State. Others affected are from Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Kano, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Taraba, Yobe, Kogi, Sokoto, and Adamawa states.

One of the officers, a Colonel, was said to be undergoing a course in a North African country at the time of his arrest.

Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles head coach, is reportedly seeking a new contract that could pay him up to $130,000 per month.

Chelle currently earns around $50,000 monthly from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

But the Malian has now changed his agents and was recently linked with the Marseille role.

According to Shina Oludare of FlashScore, the $130,000 is meant to cover his entire technical staff and personal assistant, contrary to the widely reported $100,000 figure.

The other demands reportedly are: Private car (SUV) with a chauffeur and security, house in a well secured environment with 24 hours uninterrupted power supply (electricity), furnished office with projector for analysis, internet provision, flight tickets for wife and two children (Eric and wife business class, children economy) GPS provision and supply of proper equipment in accordance to the coach’s demand.

Chelle is also said to want the right of choice regarding international friendly matches, camping programs, initiation of programs for youth development and provision to travel to watch, monitor and engage players of the national teams abroad.

He also wants provision to travel to watch the local league to identify potential players that will be integrated in to senior national team, U23, U20 and U17.

Other demands include: No Interference in team selection and players call up.

“The NFF has to issue a working contract for my staff, salary needs to be paid on or before 30th of every month, bonus and allowance as per federation structure, request to include my PA in the bonus and allowance structure, proposed salary of $130,000.00 (One hundred and thirty thousand dollars) monthly.

"The amount includes all technical staffs and PA and monthly meeting with all the national team coaches.”

The Rivers State House of Assembly has halted the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.

According to TVC News, the House adopted a motion to halt the impeachment process on Thursday during its resumed sitting in Port Harcourt.

The development is not unconnected to the recent intervention President Bola Tinubu.

The President recently met with the governor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and leaders of the assembly.

The latest development suggests the lingering political crisis in Rivers State may have ended.

The family members of Nigerian military officers accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government have expressed concern over what they describe as deliberate “delay tactics” in the handling of the case.

They claim that the accused officers have been held in custody for nearly five months without access to family or legal counsel, a situation they say violates due process and the constitutional right to a fair trial.

They alleged that the prolonged delay, combined with selective disclosures in the media, has created the impression that the matter is being tried in the court of public opinion rather than before a competent court.

“Any continued delay only deepens public doubt about the process,” the families stated.

According to Sahara Reporters, the families urged both the Nigerian public and the international community to closely scrutinise inconsistencies in official narratives, including earlier claims that tens of billions of naira were allegedly traced to one of the suspects.

They insisted such allegations must be tested openly in court.

Appealing directly to President Tinubu, they called for an open trial, warning against suggestions of closed-door proceedings.

“By guaranteeing a free, fair, and transparent trial, the President will act in good conscience and in accordance with constitutional principles,” they said.

While acknowledging the gravity of coup allegations, they stressed that the accused officers remain entitled to the presumption of innocence and protection from coercion or undue influence.

In January, retired Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka-Usman, former Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed that the suspects would face a court-martial under civilian administration.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Kukasheka-Usman described the allegations as “very, very grave” and emphasised strict adherence to military and civilian legal procedures.

“This is very, very grave,” he said. “The military and government have done a diligent job, and we should give them the benefit of the doubt.”

He added that the armed forces had undergone significant reforms between 2000 and 2015 to ensure subordination to democratic authority.

However, the families questioned why, despite earlier assurances that investigations had been concluded, formal arraignment had yet to commence.

In late January, some wives of the detained officers accused authorities of conducting a witch-hunt.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, they maintained that their husbands were professional officers with no intention of overthrowing the government.

One spouse claimed several detainees were implicated merely for having financial transactions with previously arrested officers.

“All the officers were either arrested or invited from their various places of duties. Not gathered or seen in the same place,” she said.

She further alleged that some officers voluntarily honoured invitations, arguing that anyone aware of a genuine coup plot would have fled the country.

Reports indicate that 35 military personnel – including a Brigadier General, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Majors, Captains, and non-commissioned officers – are being held in connection with the alleged plot.

Sources within the military confirmed that the arrests were carried out in coordinated operations by the Defence Intelligence Agency after weeks of covert surveillance.

The Defence Headquarters had initially dismissed claims linking the arrests to a coup attempt, stating that detentions were unrelated to any plot.

Meanwhile, concerns have deepened following reports that some detainees have fallen ill in custody, with allegations that they were transferred to an underground military cell in Abuja described as poorly ventilated.