The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the conclusion of investigations into alleged misconduct by some military officers, including claims of a plot to overthrow the Federal Government, and says those indicted will soon be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels.

Security and military sources familiar with the matter disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence in the Armed Forces to handle the case in line with military law and established procedures.

The development comes amid appeals by a pro-democracy group urging the Federal Government to consider the health and welfare of officers currently detained in connection with the matter.

In October 2025, the DHQ announced the arrest of 16 officers for acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. Shortly after, an online report alleged that the officers, ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General, were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency over secret meetings aimed at toppling the government, linking the alleged plot to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.

At the time, the then Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau (retd), dismissed the report, describing the matter as an internal disciplinary issue and accusing the publication of attempting to sow distrust. He disclosed that an investigative panel had been constituted, with assurances that its findings would be made public.

Providing an update on Monday, the current Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that the investigation had been concluded and its report forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.

According to Uba, the comprehensive probe, conducted in line with established military procedures, identified several officers with cases to answer over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, conduct he said was incompatible with the ethics, values, and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

“The Defence Headquarters issued a press statement in October 2025 regarding the arrest of sixteen officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations,” Uba said.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that investigations into the matter have been concluded and the report forwarded to the appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”

He added that those indicted would be formally arraigned before relevant military judicial panels in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.

“This ensures accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process,” Uba said, stressing that the measures were purely disciplinary and part of institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks.

Meanwhile, security and military sources alleged that the plotters had infiltrated the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with some of those involved identified as serving military officers. According to the sources, the suspects allegedly carried out surveillance, assessed security installations, and identified vulnerabilities before the plot was uncovered.

A security source at the Presidential Villa told journalists that intelligence reports in October 2025 flagged unusual activity involving certain staff and contractors, prompting heightened monitoring.

Investigators reportedly traced part of the breach to compromised staff linked to a construction and maintenance firm working at the Villa, granting access to sensitive areas of the complex.

Responding to questions on possible presidential intervention, a security official said President Tinubu would not interfere with the military justice process.

“The report is already with the President, confirming there was indeed a planned coup. The military will act according to its rules and the law of the land,” the official said, adding that authorities delayed public disclosure to allow for thorough investigations and closure of security loopholes.

To prevent future breaches, security agencies are said to be reviewing internal protocols, particularly concerning contractors and personnel with access to critical installations.

Meanwhile, a pro-democracy group, the Concerned Pro-Democratic Activists of Nigeria, has appealed to President Tinubu to consider the health and welfare of the detained officers.

Speaking in Lafia, Nasarawa State, the group’s chairman, Yusuf Dauda, claimed that some of the officers arrested since October 2025 were suffering deteriorating health conditions in detention and lacked adequate access to medical care and family members.

While condemning any attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government, Dauda urged authorities to act with fairness, calling for either the prompt arraignment of the officers or their release if no case is established, alongside access to proper medical attention.