The identities and service records of sixteen senior Nigerian military officers detained over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government have been revealed in an exclusive investigation by Premium Times.
The officers ho attempted the coup, who are members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, are reportedly being held in military detention while investigators look into allegations that an attempt to topple the government was thwarted.
According to sources, Twelve of the fourteen army officers are members of the Infantry Corps, the army’s front-line combat force whose soldiers fight mostly on the ground. One officer works in the Ordnance Corps, which is in charge of obtaining, storing, and maintaining vehicles, weapons, ammunition, and other necessary hardware, while another is from the Signals Corps, which oversees military communications.
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The army officers included; a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant. The other two are a lieutenant commander from the Navy, the naval equivalent of a major, and a squadron leader from the Air Force, which holds the exact rank equivalence.
The Nigerian government and military have however remained silent over the coup attempt; the Defence Headquarters simply said that the coup was not the cause of the cancellation of the Independence Anniversary celebration parade on October 1.
In October 2024, he was reportedly detained for gross misconduct including an “alleged diversion of rice palliatives, selling of military equipment, including generator sets and operational vehicles to scrap yards.” Among other postings, the officer served as Commander of the 3rd Brigade in Kano and Garrison Commander of the 81 Division of the Army in Lagos.
Profiles of officers in detention over alleged coup plot
1.Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq
Mr. Sadiq, a brigadier general with service number N/10321, was born on January 3, 1974, and received NDA cadet training from August 14, 1992, to September 20, 1997. He is thought to be the leader of the coup.
Mr. Sadiq, a native of Nasarawa State, advanced through the ranks as a member of Regular Course 44, becoming a colonel in 2015 and a brigadier four years later. He is a member of the infantry corps.
He was allegedly detained for gross misconduct in October 2024, including “alleged diversion of rice palliatives, selling of military equipment, including generator sets and operational vehicles to scrap yards.” The officer held a number of positions, including Garrison Commander of the Army’s 81 Division in Lagos and Commander of the 3rd Brigade in Kano.
2. Colonel M.A. Ma’aji
Colonel Ma’aji’s service number is N/10668. The Niger State native, who was born on March 1st, 1976, began training on August 18, 1995, and completed it on September 16, 2000. Investigators believe he was a major mastermind in the coup attempt. However, that claim remains unverified.
Ma’aji, also a member of the infantry corps member, was elevated to lieutenant colonel in 2013 and full colonel four years later. The 49-year-old colonel commanded the Nigerian Army’s 19 Battalion, which was stationed in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
3. Lt. Colonel S. Bappah
Mr Bappah, a member of the Nigerian Army Signals Corps, with service number N/13036, was born on June 21, 1984.
Bappah hails from Bauchi State in North-East Nigeria. On September 27, 2004, the 41-year-old officer began his cadet training, which he finished on October 4, 2008.
He is enrolled in the NDA’s 56 Regular Course.
4. Lt Colonel A.A. Hayatu
Mr. Hayatu hails from Kaduna State and is currently a lieutenant colonel with service number N/13038. He was born on August 13, 1983, and completed his cadet training from September 27, 2004, to October 4, 2008.
Mr. Hayatu was also a member of the 56 Regular Course and the infantry corps.
5. P. Dangnap
Mr. Dangnap born on April 1 1986, is a native of Plateau State. He and 29 other people were court-martialed in 2015 for charges connected to the battle against Boko Haram.
On September 27, 2004, the 39-year-old officer with service number N/13025 started his cadet training, which he finished on October 4, 2008.
While infantry corps officer, Mr Dangnap is also a member of the NDA 56 Regular Course.
6. Lt. Colonel M. Almakura
Born on March 18, 1983, Mr. Al Makura is a lieutenant colonel from Nasarawa State who is a member of the 56 Regular Course.
The infantry corps officer with service number N/12983 trained as a cadet at the NDA from 27 September 2004 to 4 October 2008.
7. Major A. J Ibrahim
Mr. Ibrahim is a major from Gombe State with service number N/13065, was born on June 12, 1987 and hails from Gombe state.
The Infantry Corps officer received training from September 27, 2004, to October 4, 2008. In 2013, he was appointed captain of the 56 Regular Course.
8. Major M.M. Jiddah
An indigene of Katsina State, with service number is N/13003. Major Jiddah, was born on 9 July 1985.
He received training from September 27, 2004, until October 4, 2008. Mr. Jiddah is an infaArmy officer who is also a member in the 56 Regular Course.
9. Major M.A. Usman
Mr. Usman was born on April 1, 1989, and is a major in the Nigerian Army with service number N/15404. He is from the Federal Capital Territory.
The infantry officer, a member of the 60th Regular Course, received cadet training at the NDA from August 16, 2008, to September 14, 2012.
10. Major D. Yusuf
Mr. Yusuf is an Ordnance Corps member and a major with service number N/14753.
He was born on May 26, 1988, and is a native of Gombe State. Mr. Yusuf trained at NDA from July 7, 2007, to September 8, 2012, as a part of the 59th Regular Course.
11. Major I. Dauda
Mr Dauda, a native of Jigawa state, joined the army through the Direct Short Service Commissions.
The infantry officer, service number N/13625, was born on November 26, 1983, and trained from June 5, 2009, until March 27, 2010.
Details regarding the remaining five officers listed below remain sketchy as at the time of publication. They are also being held on suspicion of being involved in the coup attempt. Here is some information about them:
12. Captain Ibrahim Bello
Captain Bello, born on July 28, 1987 with service number N/16266. He is enrolled in Course 43 of the Direct Short Service Commission.
13. Captain A.A Yusuf
He is an army captain with service number N/16724.
14. Lieutenant S.S Felix
A lieutenant with service number N/18105.
15. Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi
He is a Nigerian Navy officer with service number NN/3289.
16. Squandron Leader S. B Adamu
An Air Force squadron leader with service number NAF/3481.
The Nigerian administration has been under fire from critics and opposition leaders for concealing the truth about the purported military coup. Recall that the President fired the service chiefs last week, escalating worries about the purported military takeover.
The Nigerian government, however, has always refuted any coup attempt to topple President Tinubu’s government.
