Details have emerged on the identities of at least 16 Nigerian military officers currently being detained over an alleged coup plot, said to have targeted top government officials.
According to Premium Times, 14 of the detained officers are from the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two belong to the Navy and the Air Force.
The Army suspects include a Brigadier-General, a colonel, four Lieutenant-Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, and a Lieutenant.
The Naval Officer is a Lieutenant-Commander, while the Air Force officer holds the rank of Squadron Leader.
Information gathered shows that most of the Army officers are from the Infantry Corps, which handles ground combatant operations.
Others are from the Signals and Ordnance Corps, responsible for communications and logistics management.
Many of the detained officers reportedly belong to the 56 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), which trained between September 2004 and October 2008.
Six officers from this course — four Lieutenant-Colonels and two Majors —were among the first to be arrested.
The remaining Army suspects are drawn from other NDA courses, including the 44th, 47th, 59th, and 60th, as well as Short Service Commission Courses 38 and 43.
The course affiliations of two Army officers, along with those of the Naval and Air Force personnel, are yet to be confirmed.
Further findings indicate that 15 of the 16 detained officers are from the North-Central, North-East, and North-West regions, while the youngest, a Lieutenant, hails from the South-West.
The arrests followed reports of a foiled plot to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
The military, while not bluntly denying the arrests, stated that the investigation was an internal process to ensure discipline and professionalism within its ranks.
Weeks after the arrests, President Tinubu carried out a major reshuffle in the military, removing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and replacing him with General Olufemi Oluyede.
Major General Waidi Shaibu was appointed Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke became Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas was named Chief of Naval Staff.
Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye retained his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The presidency, however, did not link these changes to the alleged coup.
Although 16 officers were initially arrested, sources say the number of suspects has since increased.
Reports also revealed that the military raided the Abuja home of former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, arresting his brother, who also serves as his aide. (Courtesy: Premium Times)
