The Nigerian military has submitted to President Bola Tinubu the report of its investigation into what it described as “indiscipline and breach of service regulations” involving 16 detained officers allegedly linked to a coup plot.
Presidential sources said that the report was handed to the President after more than two months of intense interrogation and investigations conducted by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
According to the source, a decision by the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will determine the next line of action.
“Those assigned to investigate the involvement of the officers have concluded their task and submitted their report to the President. His decision will allow further actions,” the source said.
While declining to give full details of the findings, the source disclosed that the officers were indicted.
“All I can say is that the officers were found culpable and will be sanctioned accordingly once the President gives approval. Whether they will be court-martialled or not remains to be seen, but they will face sanctions in line with established military procedures,” the source added.
Another highly placed source at the Presidential Villa also confirmed that the military had briefed President Tinubu on the outcome of the investigation.
“They informed Mr President that the attempt was real. The report clearly showed that the detained officers made moves consistent with what was reported in the media,” the source said.
The source further revealed that the Brigadier-General among the detainees was arrested because investigations showed he was aware of the alleged plot but failed to report it.
Although the Defence Headquarters has publicly denied that there was a coup attempt and has repeatedly reaffirmed its loyalty to the Tinubu administration, reports of the detained officers, alongside the removal of service chiefs shortly after the coup allegations surfaced, have continued to fuel public speculation.
The submission of the investigation report is expected to bring clarity on the government’s next steps regarding the detained officers.
