The suspects are said to include senior military officers, a police officer and civilians accused of roles ranging from reconnaissance and funding to coordination and propaganda.

Security sources disclosed that 13 individuals were arrested by the State Security Service (SSS), including two military personnel (one retired), one police officer and 10 civilians. In addition, 16 military officers were reportedly taken into custody for direct involvement, two civilians for reconnaissance duties, two for inciting civil disobedience to justify the plot, and five others linked to funding channels.

One soldier initially escaped detention but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi.

Investigation Concluded, Trials Loom

Military authorities have confirmed that investigations have been concluded and forwarded to the appropriate superior authorities in line with existing regulations.

The findings reportedly implicated several officers in alleged plans to overthrow the government, actions described as incompatible with the ethics, values and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

At least 25 military personnel are expected to face court-martial, while an undisclosed number of civilians remain in custody and under investigation by the EFCC and SSS for alleged roles in financing, logistics and coordination.

Alleged Coup Plan

Investigators said the plot was initially conceived to disrupt the transfer of power from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu on May 29, 2023, but failed due to funding and logistical challenges.

The plan was allegedly revived in 2025 after former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, was accused of transferring close to ₦1 billion into accounts linked to a Bureau De Change operator. Retired Major General Adamu, Sylva and three others are said to be at large, with one suspect reportedly traced to South America.

Alleged Targets

Security sources claimed the plotters planned to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, alongside other top officials.

Strategic locations allegedly marked for takeover included the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, the Armed Forces of Nigeria Complex and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Full List Of Suspects

Below is the list of the 40 suspects, alongside their alleged units or addresses:

• MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) – Army Headquarters Garrison

• MA Ma’aji (Colonel) – Defence Space Administration

• S Bappah (Lt. Colonel) – 525 Signal Regiment

• AA Hayatu (Lt. Colonel) – 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja, Cross River State

• P Dangnap (Lt. Colonel) – 134 Special Force Battalion

• M Almakura (Lt. Colonel) – 197 Special Force Battalion

• AA Jarma (Lt. Colonel) – CO, 35 Battalion, Katsina

• SM Gana (Lt. Colonel) – 115 Task Force Battalion

• AD Dauda (Major) – Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji

• JM Ganaks (Major) – Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji

• AJ Ibrahim (Major) – Army Headquarters, Dept. of Policy and Plans

• MM Jiddah (Major) – 26 Battalion

• MA Usman (Major) – 35 Battalion

• D Yusuf (Major) – Forward Operating Base Molai

• J Iliyasu (Major) – 3 Division Garrison

• A Mohammed (Major) – 63 Brigade Garrison

• DB Abdullahi (Lt. Commander) – Naval Base, Abuja

• SB Adamu (Squadron Leader) – National Counter Terrorism Centre

• NG Zuzu (Squadron Leader) – NAF Headquarters Camp

• G Binuga (Captain) – 1 NMF Brigade

• AA Yusuf (Captain) – NASFA

• Bello (Captain) – 82 Division Garrison

• SS Felix (Lieutenant) – 81 Division Provost Group

• J Aminu (Lieutenant) – Directorate of Army Public Relations

• Nasiru Ibrahim (WO) – 82 Division Garrison

• Sanda Usman (Sergeant) – 167 Special Force Battalion

• Mohammed Zubairu (Sergeant) – 177 Guards Battalion

• Momoh Audu (Corporal) – 343 Artillery Regiment

• Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) – 24 PMF, Presidential Villa

• EO Victor (Navy Captain, Rtd.) – Port Harcourt

• Umoru Zekeri – Villa Electrician (Julius Berger)

• Y Nasiru (Lance Corporal) – 82 Division Garrison

• Sambo Danladi (Lance Corporal) – 82 Division Garrison

• Abdul Abdullahi (Staff Sergeant) – 82 Division Garrison

• Ali Isah – Villa Ambulance Driver

• ML Mohammed (Captain) – 18 Battalion

• UI Yusuf (Wing Commander) – Helicopter Flying School, Enugu

• IM Gana (Major General, Rtd.) – Kubwa, Abuja

• Stanley Kingley Amandi – Alleged Propagandist

• Goni Bukar

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case as of press time.