Dare Babalola
Details of the identities of 16 of the top military officers allegedly involved in the foiled coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration have been revealed.
In a report by Premium Times on Thursday, 14 of the 16 suspected coup plotters are from the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two are from the Navy and the Air Force.
Sources told the media house that 12 of the 14 army officers are part of the Infantry Corps, the army’s primary combat unit involved in ground battles. The remaining two officers are from the Signals Corps, handling military communications, and the Ordnance Corps, overseeing procurement, storage, and maintenance of military equipment and supplies.
The officers comprise a brigadier general, colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant from the army. The other two officers are a Navy lieutenant commander, equivalent to a major, and an Air Force squadron leader of similar rank.
The officers in detention over alleged coup plot are:
1. Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, born January 3, 1974, holds service number N/10321. He was trained as an NDA cadet from August 14, 1992, to September 20, 1997, and is believed to be the suspected leader of the alleged coup plot.
As a member of Regular Course 44, Sadiq, a native of Nasarawa State, advanced through the ranks, achieving colonel status in 2015 and brigadier general four years later. He is part of the infantry corps.
Sadiq has previously been in the news for alleged misconduct. He was detained in October 2024 for reportedly diverting rice palliatives and selling military equipment, including generators and vehicles, to scrap yards. He has held key positions, including Commander of the 3rd Brigade in Kano and Garrison Commander of the 81 Division of the Army in Lagos.
2. Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, service number N/10668, was born on March 1, 1976. The Nupe native from Niger State trained from August 18, 1995, to September 16, 2000. Investigators believe he may have been a key strategist in the alleged coup plot, though PREMIUM TIMES reported that it couldn’t verify this claim.
Ma’aji, an infantry corps member, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 2013 and colonel in 2017. The 49-year-old was Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion, Nigerian Army, in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
Ma’aji participated in Operation Crocodile Smile II, a 2017 military exercise addressing Niger Delta and Southwest security challenges. He also served at Depot, Nigerian Army, and as Commander, Operation Delta Safe. He was part of the 47 Regular Course at NDA.
3. Lt. Colonel S. Bappah, service number N/13036, is a Signals Corps member from Bauchi State, North-East Nigeria, born June 21, 1984.
The 41-year-old officer began cadet training on September 27, 2004, and completed it on October 4, 2008, as part of the 56 Regular Course, NDA.
4. Lt Colonel A.A. Hayatu, service number N/13038, is from Kaduna State, born August 13, 1983. He trained as a cadet from September 27, 2004, to October 4, 2008, and is part of the infantry corps and 56 Regular Course.
5. P. Dangnap, from Plateau State, was born April 1, 1986. In 2015, he faced court-martial with 29 others for Boko Haram-related offences. The 39-year-old officer, service number N/13025, trained as a cadet from September 27, 2004, to October 4, 2008. He’s an infantry corps officer and part of the 56 Regular Course, NDA.
6. Lt. Colonel M. Almakura, from Nasarawa State, was born March 18, 1983. He’s a member of the 56 Regular Course and infantry corps, with service number N/12983, and trained at NDA from September 27, 2004, to October 4, 2008.
7. Major A. J Ibrahim, service number N/13065, is from Gombe State, born June 12, 1987. The Infantry Corps officer trained from September 27, 2004, to October 4, 2008, as part of the 56 Regular Course, and was promoted to captain in 2013.
8. Major M.M. Jiddah, from Katsina State, was born July 9, 1985. He trained from September 27, 2004, to October 4, 2008, as part of the 56 Regular Course. The Army infantry officer holds service number N/13003.
9. Major M.A. Usman, service number N/15404, is from the Federal Capital Territory, North-central Nigeria, born April 1, 1989. He’s part of the 60th Regular Course and infantry corps, having trained at NDA from August 16, 2008, to September 14, 2012.
10. Major D. Yusuf, service number N/14753, is from Gombe State, born May 26, 1988. He’s part of the Ordnance Corps and 59th Regular Course, having trained at NDA from July 7, 2007, to September 8, 2012.
11. Major I. Dauda, service number N/13625, joined the army via Direct Short Service Commissions. Born November 26, 1983, the infantry officer from Jigawa trained from June 5, 2009, to March 27, 2010, as part of Short Service Commission Course 38.
The report also revealed that details about the remaining five officers listed below are sketchy as of press time. They are:
12. Captain Ibrahim Bello, a captain with service number N/16266. He was born on 28 July 1987. He is a member of the Direct Short Service Commission Course 43.
13. Captain A.A Yusuf
He is an army captain with service number N/16724.
14. Lieutenant S.S Felix
A lieutenant with service number N/18105.
15. Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi
He is a Nigerian Navy personnel with service number NN/3289.
16. Squandron Leader S. B Adamu
An Air Force squadron leader with service number NAF/3481.
