By Ogochukwu Isioma
Nigeria’s political and military circles are on edge following emerging reports of an alleged coup plot targeting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
There are reports that investigations are underway involving both military officers and prominent politicians from the country’s southern and northern regions.
The Defence Headquarters recently disclosed the arrest of 16 military officers for what it termed “unprofessional conduct.” However, multiple sources suggest the detentions may be tied to a broader inquiry into a suspected plan to destabilise the country during its Independence Day celebrations this month.
Among those detained are senior officers positioned in key strategic formations. The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) is reportedly leading the investigation, with operational support from all three branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The scope of the probe is said to extend beyond the military, encompassing civilian actors suspected of complicity.
PRNigeria gathers that a prominent southern politician is under scrutiny for allegedly financing the purported coup attempt. Some of the individuals being investigated are believed to have affiliations with royal families and influential political dynasties, raising concerns about the scale and depth of the suspected conspiracy.
Although no formal charges have been filed, sources confirm that surveillance and interrogations are ongoing to determine the extent of each suspect’s involvement. The identities of the detained officers remain undisclosed, but insiders reveal that they span across various military services.
Security agencies are maintaining heightened alert levels amid the fluid situation, with efforts focused on preempting any threats to national stability.
Meanwhile, PRNigeria notes a departure from precedent: unlike previous high-profile security incidents often broken by international media, no credible foreign news outlet has independently verified the alleged arrests or coup plot. This absence of external confirmation has fueled skepticism around the narrative.
Security insiders suggest that some of the detained officers may have been questioned over internal disciplinary issues such as promotion stagnation and welfare grievances. Attempts to link these administrative matters to a coup plot remain speculative and unsupported by concrete evidence.
As of now, the alleged coup attempt has not been officially confirmed. Until the Nigerian military or government issues a formal statement, the claims should be regarded as unverified and treated with caution.
This unfolding development continues to raise critical questions about cohesion within Nigeria’s political and military institutions, and its potential implications for the country’s democratic stability.
*Text, except headline, courtesy: PRNigeria
