The Defence Headquarters maintained that the decision to subject the officers to court-martial reflects the Armed Forces’ intolerance for actions capable of eroding discipline, unity and national security.
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that 16 serving officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces will face trial before a special military court-martial over allegations of grave misconduct, including a plot to overthrow the present government.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that the Special Investigative Panel set up by the military has wrapped up its probe and submitted its findings in accordance with military laws and procedures.
The officers, who were taken into custody in October 2025, were investigated for various acts of indiscipline, violations of service regulations and other offences considered incompatible with military ethics.
According to the DHQ, the panel reviewed the totality of the circumstances surrounding the conduct of the personnel and determined that several of them have cases to answer.
Major General Uba disclosed that some of the allegations uncovered during the investigation relate to activities bordering on an attempt to unlawfully overthrow the government. He stressed that such conduct, if established, represents a serious breach of the values of loyalty, professionalism and constitutional obedience required of military personnel.
The defence spokesman, however, underscored that the process remains an internal disciplinary measure aimed at safeguarding order within the Armed Forces rather than a political action.
“The steps being taken are purely disciplinary and form part of the Armed Forces’ internal mechanisms to maintain discipline, cohesion and operational effectiveness,” Uba said.
He further assured that the military would adhere strictly to due process throughout the court-martial, reaffirming the institution’s loyalty to constitutional authority and its commitment to fairness in handling the case.
Those facing trial comprise one Brigadier General, one Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Army Captains, one Lieutenant Commander of the Nigerian Navy, one Squadron Leader of the Nigerian Air Force and one Army Lieutenant.
The officers are Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (Nasarawa State, 44th Regular Course); Colonel M. A. Ma’aji (Niger State, 47th Regular Course); Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah (Bauchi State, 56th Regular Course); Lieutenant Colonel A. A. Hayatu (Kaduna State, 56th Regular Course); Lieutenant Colonel Dangnan (Plateau State, 56th Regular Course); and Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura (Nasarawa State, 56th Regular Course).
Others listed include Major A. J. Ibrahim (Gombe State, 56th Regular Course); Major M. M. Jiddah (Katsina State, 56th Regular Course); Major M. A. Usman (Federal Capital Territory, 60th Regular Course); Major D. Yusuf (Gombe State, 59th Regular Course); Major I. Dauda (Jigawa State, DSSC 38); Captain I. Bello (DSSC 43); Captain A. A. Yusuf; Lieutenant S. S. Felix (DSSC); Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi of the Nigerian Navy; and Squadron Leader S. B. Adamu of the Nigerian Air Force.
Military sources disclosed that a majority of the affected officers are drawn from the Infantry, Signals and Ordnance Corps.
The Defence Headquarters maintained that the decision to subject the officers to court-martial reflects the Armed Forces’ intolerance for actions capable of eroding discipline, unity and national security.