In a dramatic twist that sounds more like the plot of a political thriller than a page from Nigeria’s current affairs, about 30 officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) — including two Brigadier Generals, several Colonels, and an officer from the elite Presidential Guards Brigade — are now cooling their heels in military detention. The charge? Alleged conspiracy to derail Nigeria’s fragile democracy and overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The arrests, which cut across various regions of the country — from the volatile Northeast battleground against Boko Haram to the garrisoned heart of Kaduna — have shaken the nation’s security apparatus to its core. A sense of unease now lingers in the air like the quiet hum of a ticking time bomb.
THE ROGUE WHATSAPP REVOLUTION
According to insiders close to Defence Intelligence, what began as whispers of discontent among mid- and high-ranking officers ballooned into what authorities now describe as a “potentially treasonous conspiracy.” One senior source couldn’t hide his disbelief:
“What is perplexing about these disgruntled officers… is that they were foolish enough to set up a WhatsApp group for communication. What were they thinking — that the intelligence community wouldn’t sniff them out?”
This alleged lapse in operational security proved to be the smoking gun. According to multiple sources, Nigerian intelligence services had already begun monitoring suspicious chatter. By the time the arrests were made, the web of conspirators had been mapped, infiltrated, and effectively neutered.
But there’s a darker subtext. These weren’t just any officers. One of the arrested Brigadier Generals, M. A. Sadiq, had previously commanded the 3 Brigade Kano and was already under investigation for allegedly pilfering rice palliatives, selling military equipment, and running a lucrative side hustle turning army vehicles into scrap metal. Another implicated officer was a Lieutenant-Colonel commanding a battalion under the prestigious Guards Brigade — the very unit tasked with safeguarding the President and the Federal Capital Territory.
ANATOMY OF A MUTINY
Investigations, still active as of this writing, reveal a mix of motives. Some officers were reportedly driven by long-standing grievances — from career stagnation due to repeated failures in promotion exams to frustrations over perceived corruption and cronyism in the political class.
Sources within military intelligence say the group’s goal was chillingly straightforward:
Seize the state. Neutralize the President. Install a military government.
Had they succeeded, Nigeria might have found itself on the precipice of a Sudanese-style implosion, where generals battle for control and civilians are mere collateral damage. Plans allegedly included disrupting the October 1 Independence Day parade, holding key political and military figures hostage, and using the ceremonial gathering as a springboard for a forceful takeover.
DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS PLAYS IT COOL
Publicly, however, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) is treading a cautious line. In a carefully worded statement issued by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the military dismissed the coup claims as “false and misleading,” reiterating that the arrests were part of a “routine internal process” targeting “professional misconduct.”
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains loyal to the Constitution and the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Gusau said, trying to snuff out the growing embers of panic.
Even the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade — an unusual move — was attributed to the President’s foreign travel and an ongoing military focus on counter-terrorism, not a looming threat of mutiny. But insiders whisper that the decision to cancel the parade was more than a scheduling hiccup — it may have been a pre-emptive safety measure as intelligence filtered in about the timing of the alleged plot.
A WIDENING NET
As of now, 30 officers are confirmed in custody, but sources hint that the net is far from fully cast. Arrests are expected to continue, potentially reaching into civilian spheres for those who may have acted as financiers or provided logistical support.
The Defence Intelligence Agency and sister security outfits are said to be combing through digital evidence, financial records, and personal connections of the detained officers. All eyes are now on the investigative panel, which has been tasked with uncovering the full scope of the plot. The military insists the findings will be made public, but whether this will be a full disclosure or a carefully curated version of events remains to be seen.
DEMOCRACY ON A KNIFE’S EDGE
This isn’t the first time Nigeria has flirted with the specter of a coup. With a long and bloody history of military takeovers — the last in 1993 — the country remains haunted by its authoritarian past. But in 2025, with Nigeria at a crossroads, battling insurgency, economic instability, and political polarization, even the faintest whiff of a coup is enough to ignite public paranoia.
Yet, the military brass seems determined to douse the flames.
“Democracy is forever,” the DHQ proclaimed in its latest release. A noble sentiment — but one now being tested in the shadows.
THE REAL QUESTION
As Nigeria waits for the official findings, one unsettling question remains:
Was this just the reckless dream of a few disillusioned officers — or a symptom of deeper fractures within the Armed Forces?
For now, the barracks are quiet, but the silence carries weight. And behind the scenes, in guarded rooms and encrypted channels, Nigeria’s democracy walks a tightrope — watched, protected, and, as this saga proves, not without its enemies.
●This report was done with extensive contributions from Global Upfront Newspapers (www.globalupfront.com), and Sahara Reporters.
