A group of Nigerian military officers is set to face a court-martial over allegations of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government last year, according to a statement from the country’s armed forces.
Sixteen officers were arrested in October 2025 for what were described as “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.” At the time, the military dismissed rumours of a coup attempt, but subsequent investigations have confirmed that some of the officers will appear before a military judicial panel.
It remains unclear exactly how many of the 16 will go on trial. Military authorities emphasised that the process will uphold accountability, fairness, and due process. A statement noted that attempting to unseat the elected government is “inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards” of the armed forces.
Nigeria has a long and sensitive history of military involvement in politics, with multiple coups between 1966 and 1993. Rumours of dissent within the military occasionally emerge, often sparked by public frustration over insecurity and instability, though authorities have repeatedly dismissed them.
Since 1999, Nigeria has experienced uninterrupted civilian rule, and the armed forces have continually reaffirmed their loyalty to democratic governance.
This development comes amid a resurgence of coups in West Africa in recent years. Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea have all experienced military takeovers since 2020. Guinea has since returned to democratic rule with former junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya elected president.
Nigeria, which positions itself as a stabilising force within ECOWAS, has heightened vigilance in response to regional unrest. Domestically, the military continues to face operational pressures, including combating militant jihadist groups in the northeast and addressing criminal and communal violence across northern and central states.
Analysts note that these challenges, combined with resource constraints and public scrutiny, have placed greater focus on discipline and accountability within the Nigerian armed forces.
