The number of military personnel reportedly held over an alleged plot to destabilise President Bola Tinubu’s administration has increased to 42.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that although the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) earlier confirmed the arrest of 16 officers for what it described as “disciplinary matters,” authoritative security sources said the detentions were linked to a suspected underground plot to interrupt Nigeria’s democratic governance.
A top military intelligence source,on Thursday, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that the suspects were being grilled on the depth of their alleged involvement.
“So far, 42 officers have been picked up. They are undergoing intense interrogation to determine the extent of their participation and whether the plan went beyond casual discussions,” the security insider disclosed.
Another senior source hinted that the number of arrests could further rise, noting that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and Military Police were still tracking communication trails and suspected funding channels.
“Investigations are still active. Monitoring of calls, meetings and possible sponsors is ongoing. It is too early to rule out more arrests,” the source added.
Reacting to concerns about the secret detentions, Presidential aide on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, insisted that the Presidency fully trusts the military’s handling of the situation.
Speaking during a live programme on TVC, Dare stressed:
“We are going to stick to the narrative of the military because they are the ones constitutionally empowered to secure this country. Until they come up with something different, we stand by them.”
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces remain loyal and committed to preserving the nation’s democratic order.
Analyst Warns Against Excessive Denial
A retired military officer and security analyst, Col. Bashir Galma (rtd), expressed concern that the Federal Government might avoid publicly confirming any coup scare to prevent panic and deter investors.
> “Government may not want to openly admit a coup attempt to avoid damaging national confidence,” Galma explained.
“However, persistent denial could harm public trust if later evidence emerges.”
Background
The arrests come amid increasing public whispers about tension within the armed forces. Nigeria, which returned to democratic rule in 1999, has since enjoyed 26 uninterrupted years of civilian governance — the longest in its history.
While the DHQ has not directly confirmed a coup plot, the wave of arrests and intelligence-led investigations continue to intensify, raising fresh questions about internal stability and the loyalty of some military elements.
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