By Obinna Uballa
Fresh concerns have emerged over the welfare of Nigerian military officers detained over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following reports that several of them have fallen critically ill while in custody.
The New Diplomat had reported in October last year that a number of officers were being detained over the alleged coup plot, with former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, also declared wanted over his alleged involvement. Sylva has maintained his innocence.
An online newspaper, SaharaReporters, reported on Friday, citing obtained information, that at least five of the detained officers are said to be seriously sick, with two reportedly collapsing last week. The officers were reportedly initially held at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) but were later transferred to what sources described as a dark, underground military detention facility in Abuja.
The online medium quoted a military source to have said that some of the officers have remained silent about their condition, while at least one of those detained was allegedly not directly involved in the purported plot.
“About five of them are critically sick and two of them collapsed last week. Till now, some of them are keeping mum. One of them wasn’t even involved. He is being punished for being aware, but failing to alert the military authorities,” the source said.
Families of the detained officers have also raised alarm, saying they have been kept in the dark about the whereabouts of their relatives for months and denied all forms of access.
“We have been denied access to them since their arrest. We can’t even say for sure where they were moved to,” a family member said.
Angered by the prolonged silence from military authorities, some of the wives of the detained officers disclosed plans to stage a protest at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) headquarters in Abuja.
“We are planning to massively protest at the DIA to demand their whereabouts. The DIA office is beside the State House Clinic at Mambilla Barracks. About 15 of us want to go there and ask if our husbands are still alive,” one of the wives said.
She further lamented that since the arrests, families have been cut off from financial support, as the officers’ ATM cards were allegedly seized.
“Since they were arrested, the military authorities have denied them access to their families and lawyers. We don’t have access to their bank accounts. We can’t pay our children’s school fees or take care of basic needs,” she added.
Meanwhile, following the arrest of officers in October last year, it was gathered that investigation is being handled by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, who was reappointed to the position by Tinubu on October 24, 2025, having first assumed office on June 23, 2023.
The DIA established in 1986, is Nigeria’s principal military intelligence body, responsible for intelligence gathering and analysis to support the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence in safeguarding national security.
At the time of the arrests, top military sources disclosed that no fewer than 16 senior officers drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force were being detained following weeks of covert surveillance and coordinated operations by military intelligence operatives.
Among those reportedly detained is a Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi.
The detained officers, as earlier compiled by Premium Times, another online newspaper, include:
Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (N/10321) – believed to be the suspected leader of the alleged coup plot. He was reportedly detained in October 2024 over allegations of diversion of rice palliatives and sale of military equipment.
Colonel M.A. Ma’aji (N/10668) – a Nupe native from Niger State.
Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah (N/13036) – from Bauchi State, member of the 56 Regular Course.
Lieutenant Colonel A.A. Hayatu (N/13038) – from Kaduna State.
Lieutenant Colonel P. Dangnap (N/13025) – from Plateau State, previously court-martialed in 2015 over Boko Haram-related offences.
Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura (N/12983) – from Nasarawa State.
Major A.J. Ibrahim (N/13065) – from Gombe State.
Major M.M. Jiddah (N/13003) – Infantry officer from Katsina State.
Major M.A. Usman (N/15404) – from the Federal Capital Territory.
Major D. Yusuf (N/14753) – Ordnance Corps officer from Gombe State.
Major I. Dauda (N/13625) – from Jigawa State, DSSC Course 38.
Captain Ibrahim Bello (N/16266) – DSSC Course 43.
Captain A.A. Yusuf (N/16724).
Lieutenant S.S. Felix (N/18105).
Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (NN/3289) – Nigerian Navy.
Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (NAF/3481) – Nigerian Air Force.
