The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that military personnel indicted after investigations into alleged misconduct, including claims of plotting to overthrow the government, will be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels.
Security and military sources said President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence in the Armed Forces to handle the matter strictly in line with the law, stressing that the military justice process should proceed without interference.
The development comes amid calls by a pro-democracy group urging the Federal Government to consider the health and welfare of officers detained in connection with the case.
The DHQ had earlier announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. Subsequent reports alleged that the officers, ranging in rank from captain to brigadier general, were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency for holding clandestine meetings aimed at destabilising the government, with the plot allegedly linked to the cancellation of the Independence Day parade.
At the time, the then Director of Defence Information dismissed the reports, describing the matter as an internal disciplinary issue and confirming that an investigative panel had been constituted.
Providing an update, the current Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed that a comprehensive investigation had now been concluded in line with established military procedures and forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.
According to him, the probe examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel and identified several officers with cases to answer.
“The findings identified a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” Uba said.
He added that the indicted officers would be formally arraigned before relevant military judicial panels in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations, stressing that the process was aimed at ensuring accountability while upholding fairness and due process.
Uba emphasised that the measures were purely disciplinary and part of institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the military.
Meanwhile, security and military sources revealed that the alleged plot involved a serious breach of security at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the sources, some of the suspects, identified as serving military officers, allegedly gained access to the Aso Rock Villa, conducted surveillance, assessed security installations and identified vulnerabilities before the plot was uncovered.
Investigators are also probing the alleged role of Julius Berger, the construction firm responsible for maintaining the Villa, following claims that some of its staff were compromised and may have aided access to sensitive areas of the presidential complex.
The Presidential Villa is one of the most heavily secured facilities in the country, guarded by elite military units, intelligence operatives and private contractors.
Intelligence reports reportedly detected unusual activities around the Villa, prompting heightened surveillance and investigations by security agencies.
Sources said President Tinubu would not intervene in the process, noting that the report confirming the existence of a planned coup had already been submitted to him and that the military would proceed in line with the law.
Authorities were said to have delayed immediate action to allow for thorough investigations, seal security loopholes and identify all individuals involved.
Security agencies are now reviewing internal protocols, particularly those governing contractors and personnel with access to critical areas, to prevent future breaches.
