Nigerian security agencies have concluded investigations into an alleged plot to violently overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, formally identifying 40 suspects drawn from the armed forces, the police and the civilian population.
Those listed include serving and retired senior military officers, a police inspector attached to the Presidential Villa, and civilians accused of roles spanning reconnaissance, funding, logistics and propaganda.
Sources said the arrests followed a covert intelligence operation coordinated by Army Headquarters and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed on Monday that investigations had been concluded and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations,” noting that officers implicated were found to have acted in ways “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Investigators traced the alleged conspiracy to plans initially linked to the May 29, 2023 presidential inauguration, which were later revived in 2025 after fresh funding allegedly became available. Authorities said multiple agencies are now working together to dismantle remaining cells connected to the plot, while approval is being awaited to constitute a court-martial panel for affected soldiers.
Full list of suspects identified
Documents obtained by this newspaper list the following 40 individuals:
1. MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) – Army Headquarters Garrison
2. MA Ma’aji (Colonel) – Defence Space Administration
3. S Bappah (Lieutenant Colonel) – 525 Signal Regiment
4. AA Hayatu (Lieutenant Colonel) – 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja
5. P Dangnap (Lieutenant Colonel) – 134 Special Forces Battalion
6. M Almakura (Lieutenant Colonel) – 197 Special Forces Battalion
7. AA Jarma (Lieutenant Colonel) – Commanding Officer, 35 Battalion, Katsina
8. SM Gana (Lieutenant Colonel) – 115 Task Force Battalion
9. AD Dauda (Major) – Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji
10. JM Ganaks (Major) – Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji
11. AJ Ibrahim (Major) – Army Headquarters, Department of Policy and Plans
12. MM Jiddah (Major) – 26 Battalion
13. MA Usman (Major) – 35 Battalion
14. D Yusuf (Major) – Forward Operating Base, Molai
15. J Iliyasu (Major) – 3 Division Garrison
16. A Mohammed (Major) – 63 Brigade Garrison
17. DB Abdullahi (Lieutenant Commander) – Naval Base, Abuja
18. SB Adamu (Squadron Leader) – National Counter Terrorism Centre
19. NG Zuzu (Squadron Leader) – Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force Camp
20. EO Victor (Navy Captain, Retired) – 3 Abraham Avenue, Port Harcourt
21. Umoru Zekeri – Julius Berger, Presidential Villa Electrician
22. Y Nasiru (Lance Corporal) – 82 Division Garrison
23. Sambo Danladi (Lance Corporal) – 82 Division Garrison
24. Abdul Abdullahi (Staff Sergeant) – 82 Division Garrison
25. Ali Isah – Presidential Villa Ambulance Driver
26. ML Mohammed (Captain) – 18 Battalion
27. UI Yusuf (Wing Commander) – Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
28. IM Gana (Major General, Retired) – No. 34A Army Estate, Kubwa
29. Stanley Kingley Amandi – Actor, alleged propagandist
30. G Binuga (Captain) – 1 Nigerian Military Force Brigade
31. AA Yusuf (Captain) – Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA)
32. I Bello (Captain) – 82 Division Garrison
33. SS Felix (Lieutenant) – 81 Division Provost Group
34. J Aminu (Lieutenant) – Headquarters, Directorate of Army Public Relations
35. Nasiru Ibrahim (Warrant Officer) – 82 Division Garrison
36. Sanda Usman (Sergeant) – 167 Special Forces Battalion
37. Mohammed Zubairu (Sergeant) – 177 Guards Battalion
38. Momoh Audu (Corporal) – 343 Artillery Regiment
39. Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) – 24 Police Mobile Force, Presidential Villa
40. Goni Bukar – civilian
Security officials said several suspects remain at large, including alleged financiers, while others are already in custody and facing further interrogation.
Authorities stressed that all listed individuals remain innocent until proven guilty, as legal and military judicial processes move forward.
