By Titilope Adako

Reports have emerged that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has detained at least 16 senior military officers over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.

According to SaharaReporters, the officers, whose ranks range from Captain to Brigadier General, were reportedly planning to seize power from what they described as “selfish politicians.”

Although the Nigerian military recently announced that the officers were arrested over “repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation,” sources cited by the platform claimed the true reason was their involvement in a foiled coup plot.

A senior source within the Defence Intelligence Agency allegedly told SaharaReporters that the operation was uncovered through intelligence gathered by the DIA and sister security agencies.

“The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were just being diplomatic in their statement. They had started holding secret meetings on how to overthrow the President and other top government officials,” the source said.

“They were picked up at their various homes across the country and are still being held at the DIA headquarters. Their main goal was to oust President Tinubu and install a military government,” he added.

Another source claimed that the planned coup was the reason the Federal Government cancelled the October 1 Independence Day parade.

“Yes, they were arrested for planning to stage a coup. That was why the Independence Day parade scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, to mark Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, was called off,” the source said.

“Intelligence reports indicated that they planned to strike during the parade. The National Security Adviser and service chiefs advised the President to cancel the event to prevent bloodshed. The official statement about their arrest was only meant to calm the situation,” he added.

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