An interim investigation report into the alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government found that an Army Colonel (name withheld) led a clandestine network of military officers that planned the takeover, funding, recruiting, and planning.
According to The PUNCH, the Army officer, whose repeated promotion failures fueled his disaffection, mobilized like-minded officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force to survey critical national installations like the Presidential Villa, major barracks, and international airports.
In October 2025, the DHQ arrested 16 officers for indiscipline and service violations.
Later, Sahara Reporters reported that the Defence Intelligence Agency arrested the Captains to Brigadier Generals for secretly meeting to overthrow the government and canceling the October 1 Independence Day parade.
The then-Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau (retd.), denounced the report as an attempt to sow discord, saying it was an internal disciplinary case.
He stated a panel would investigate and release its conclusions.
On Monday, Major General Samaila Uba, the new Director of Defence Information, announced that a thorough inquiry had been completed in accordance with military regulations and that the report had been sent to the relevant superior authorities.
The interim inquiry report claims the indicted Colonel coordinated the plot.
Investigators found that the attempt went beyond “casual dissent” and involved covert surveillance of important national assets such the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks, Abuja, and Lagos international airports.
After intelligence on “disgruntled elements within the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the civil populace,” arrests, interrogations, and link analysis revealed an organized coup d’état attempt, according to the report.
The report says the Army officer, who failed promotion exams twice, “harnessed these grievances to recruit like-minded officers,” lamenting his immobility and calling for “change government.”
The report said a raid on his Lokogoma, Apo, residence yielded “very sensitive documents,” including assigned roles to principal actors and notes on how “key national dignitaries” were to be handled during the operation. His vehicle reportedly contained charms and anti-government materials.
Multiple testimony implicate Col (name withheld) as plot coordinator. He has been designated as a source of finance, recruiting, and motivation, regretting his advancement stagnation and calling for ‘change government.’
“Several officers involved in the plot say he provided financial inducements and justification.
The NUPENG strike action and other anti-government write-ups were found in his vehicle.
“A search of his Lokogoma, Apo, home found sensitive documents that assigned responsibilities to key actors.
“Key national dignitaries were earmarked to be handled by respective principal actors,” the paper added.
Previous reports showed how coup plotters infiltrated the Presidential Villa and manipulated Julius Berger’s staff to obtain security information.
The Defence Headquarters announced on Monday that military commanders indicted after investigations into alleged misbehavior, which revealed a conspiracy to topple the government, will be prosecuted before a military judicial panel.
Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A.A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M.A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A.A. Yusuf, Lt S.S. Felix, Lt Cdr D.B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S.B. Adamu,
The report says Maj J.M. Ganaks and Capt G. Binuga are awaiting.
Capt Yusuf is from Osun State, although most of the suspects are northern.
The failed coup on October 25, 2025, was intended to kill the President, Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministries, service chiefs, and other government officials.
However, the country’s security establishment found a coordinated and well-funded plot by serving military officers to undermine authority and potentially seize power, linked to a clandestine Army, Navy, and Air Force network.
Investigators found that certain major actors received N2m to N5m in financial inducements and coordinated logistics via encrypted communication platforms.
Further inquiry revealed that the Colonel reportedly gave financial inducements to some personnel for “logistics and possible mobilisation,” with intelligence pointing to at least one key financier.
According to the report, the Nigerian money Intelligence Unit was examining a detailed money trail.
The report said Lt Col Bappah was a key witness.
Bappah was “cooperating fully,” admitting his role and providing financial, recruitment, and communication details, according to the report.
Investigations claimed his evidence bolstered the case and provided uncommon insight into the group’s tactics.
Officials said WhatsApp and Zangi were used to coordinate, and subtle car repairs and fund moves indicated “early-stage logistical preparations.”
The interim assessment noted that the cross-service nature of the network, the involvement of senior officers up to Brigadier-General, and the identification of strategic installations for seizure were signs of deliberate coup-style planning.
Security sources said the findings justified rapid preventive action to dismantle the network, safeguard sensitive areas, and shut off financial lines for the suspected plot while thorough investigations continued and more individuals were pursued.
“The threat posed was clear and immediate,” the study said, adding that inaction may have had “grave implications for national stability.”
Sources say a former minister’s name arose in intelligence evaluations of the Armed Forces coup plot’s political links.
The former minister had been abroad for a while, thus no formal charges or arrest warrant had been issued.
Security sources informed our correspondent that the probe had expanded beyond military commanders to include civilian connections, financiers, and political friends who may have interacted with major suspects.
“The investigation is not limited to uniforms alone,” a source added.
Communication, financial, and political linkages are examined. That is due diligence, not guilt, he said.
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