At least sixteen senior officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces are believed to have been detained over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, though the military authorities have strongly denied the existence of any coup plan, describing such claims as “false and malicious.”

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the officers, ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General, were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for allegedly plotting to seize power from what one source described as “selfish politicians.”

According to the publication, the alleged plot was uncovered through intelligence gathering by the DIA and other sister security agencies. The arrests were said to have been made simultaneously across the country, with all the suspects now held at the DIA headquarters in Abuja.

A senior intelligence source cited by SaharaReporters claimed the group had begun holding secret meetings to mobilise for a takeover and had planned to strike during the October 1 Independence Day parade.

“Yes, they were arrested for planning to stage a coup and take over government. Intelligence reports showed they intended to act during the Independence Day parade. That was why the event was cancelled,” the source alleged.

He claimed the officers’ alleged objective was to attack the President and other top government officials during the ceremony.

However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed the claims, insisting that the officers’ detention was purely an internal disciplinary matter unrelated to any coup plot.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the DHQ said the reports were “entirely false, malicious, and intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among Nigerians.”

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” the statement said.

“Investigations have shown that their grievances stem largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues. Some of the apprehended officers were already facing disciplinary proceedings.”

Gusau explained that the cancellation of the Independence Day parade had nothing to do with security concerns or a coup plot, but rather to enable President Tinubu to attend a strategic bilateral meeting abroad and to allow the military to sustain momentum in ongoing counterterrorism and anti-banditry operations.

He added that an investigative panel had been set up and that its findings would be made public upon conclusion.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains firmly loyal to the Constitution and the Federal Government under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.

The DHQ urged Nigerians to disregard “falsehoods circulated by enemies of the state” and reaffirmed its commitment to democracy and national stability.

Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the country has experienced five successful military coups, the last of which occurred in 1993. Analysts say while the nation’s military has since maintained its allegiance to democratic rule, lingering issues such as corruption, poor welfare, and stalled promotions continue to breed frustration within the ranks.