The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has concluded
investigations into sixteen officers arrested over alleged acts of indiscipline
and breaches of service regulations, with those found culpable set to face
trial before a military judicial panel.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the
Director, Major General, Samaila Uba, who said the actions are in line
with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.
According to the statement, investigations initiated
after the Defence Headquarters announced the arrests in October 2025
have now been completed, and the report forwarded to the appropriate superior
authority.
“The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in
accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all
circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel,” the statement
said.
It added that findings revealed allegations against
some of the officers, including plotting to overthrow the government,
actions described as inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional
standards expected of members of the AFN.
The military said officers with cases to answer would
be formally arraigned before the appropriate military judicial panels.
“This ensures accountability while upholding the
principles of fairness and due process,” the statement noted.
The AFN stressed that the measures are purely
disciplinary and aimed at maintaining order, discipline and operational
effectiveness within the ranks, while reaffirming loyalty to constitutional
authority.
Background: Arrest of Officers
The military action follows the October 2025 arrest of
sixteen officers over alleged indiscipline and violations of service
regulations.
At the time, the Directorate of Defence Information
explained that preliminary investigations linked the officers’ actions to
frustrations arising from repeated failures in promotion examinations and
concerns over stalled career progression.
Some of the officers, the military said, were already
under investigation for other offences and either facing trial or awaiting
court proceedings.
The Armed Forces reiterated that it would not tolerate
any conduct that undermines its integrity or constitutional role under
democratic authority.
Parade Cancellation and Coup Speculation
Speculation intensified following the cancellation
of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary parade, which some reports
linked to an alleged coup plot.
However, the Defence Headquarters dismissed those
claims, stating that the parade was cancelled to allow President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu attend a strategic bilateral engagement abroad and to sustain
momentum in ongoing security operations against terrorism, insurgency and
banditry.
“Democracy is forever,” the DHQ said, reaffirming the
military’s loyalty to the Constitution and the Federal Government.
Raid on Ex-Governor’s Residence
In the same month, soldiers reportedly raided the
Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for
Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over alleged links to the suspected
plot.
Security sources said the operation followed
intelligence reports connecting Sylva to alleged secret meetings with some of
the detained officers.
The raid reportedly extended to his Bayelsa residence,
where his brother, identified as Paga, was arrested. Sylva was said to
have fled the country at the time.
Opposition Raises Concern
Reacting to the developments, the opposition African
Democratic Congress (ADC) called on the Federal Government to clarify the
true nature of the alleged coup plot.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity
Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed concern over what it
described as conflicting signals from government sources.
The ADC criticised the government for failing to make
a categorical statement on the issue, warning that silence had allowed
speculation to persist.
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