The Nigerian military on Friday barred journalists from covering the inauguration of a court-martial set up to try 36 officers over an alleged coup plot.
The trial is taking place at the Scorpion Officers Mess in Abuja. A few journalists invited to the venue, including a Guardian reporter, were asked to move from one location to another upon arrival and were later ordered out of the premises.
A bus conveying the accused officers arrived at about 8:53 a.m. The Guardian gathered that 36 officers were brought in for the court-martial, which is expected to be held in secret. A statement is expected to be issued after the inauguration.
Sixteen senior officers were first arrested in October 2025 for what Defence Headquarters (DHQ) described as indiscipline and breach of service regulations.
At the time, the military denied coup rumours, saying investigations showed the officers’ grievances were linked to repeated promotion exam failures and career stagnation.
In January 2026, the military confirmed a failed coup plot. It said a comprehensive investigation had been concluded and found some officers had cases to answer over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government. The findings were forwarded to the appropriate authority.
A list of indicted officers later circulated on social media. The military has not confirmed or denied the list.
Names that appeared include Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, Colonel M. A. Ma’aji, Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah, Lieutenant Colonel A. A. Hayatu, Lieutenant Colonel Dangnan, Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura, Major A. J. Ibrahim, Major M. M. Jiddah, Major M. A. Usman, Major D. Yusuf, Major I. Dauda, Captain I. Bello, Captain A. A. Yusuf, Lieutenant S. S. Felix, Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi, and Squadron Leader S. B. Adamu.
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