News
Alleged Coup: Details of detained 16 officers emerge
The last may not have been heard on the October 1st foiled coup after fresh facts emerged regarding the identities of at least 16 Nigerian military officers allegedly involved in the plot.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, 14 of the detainees are from the Nigerian Army, including one brigadier general, one colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and one lieutenant.
The other two officers include a Lieutenant Commander from the Navy and a Squadron Leader from the Air Force, both equivalent to majors.
Premium Times revealed that most Army officers belong to the Infantry Corps, with one from the Signals Corps and another from the Ordnance Corps. Many of the detainees are graduates of the 56th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) who trained between September 2004 and October 2008, with six from this group among the first arrested.
The remaining Army officers come from various other NDA courses. Sources indicate that 15 of the detained officers are from Nigeria’s North Central, North East, and North West geopolitical zones, while one lieutenant is from the South West.
The foiled coup plot
The Army’s resolve to investigate the foiled coup scare report comes amid heightened speculation of discontent within the ranks, after a reliable source revealed that the conspirators intended to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, among others.
However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) debunked media reports about a military coup attempt in Nigeria, saying they were false and misleading. Also, the Presidency explained that the appointment of new service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu was a routine administrative exercise consistent with his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Tinubu’s sudden shake-up
Weeks after the foiled coup, President Tinubu made a surprising move that left many Nigerians astonished: he dismissed the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and appointed the former Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, in his place. Additionally, Major General Waidi Shaibu was appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke became the Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas was named the new Chief of Naval Staff. Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye retained his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence. However, the Presidency did not link these changes to the alleged coup plot.
The military arrested 16 officers, but insiders reported that the number of suspects has increased over time. Sahara Reporters revealed that, as part of the ongoing investigation, military personnel raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, arresting his brother, who also served as his personal assistant. Sylva denied any involvement in the coup plot.
Through his spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, he stated that he was in the UK for a medical check-up and planned to travel to Malaysia for a conference. Bokoru indicated that “individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters” conducted the raid on his principal’s home without providing a reason for their actions.
NAMES & PROFILES OF THE ALLEGED COUP PLOTTERS PUBLISHED BY PREMIUM TIMES:
1.Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq
Born on 3 January 1974, Mr Sadiq is a brigadier general with service number N/10321, trained as an NDA cadet between 14 August 1992 and 20 September 1997. He is suspected to be the leader of the coup plot.
As a member of Regular Course 44, Mr Sadiq, an indigene of Nasarawa State, rose through the ranks, becoming a colonel in 2015 and a brigadier four years later. He belongs to the infantry corps.
This is not the first time Mr Sadiq has made headlines for alleged gross misconduct. In October 2024, he was reportedly detained for “alleged diversion of rice palliatives, selling of military equipment, including generator sets and operational vehicles to scrap yards.” Among other postings, the officer served as Commander of the 3rd Brigade in Kano and Garrison Commander of the 81 Division Army in Lagos.
Colonel M.A. Ma’aji
Mr Ma’aji is a colonel with service number N/10668. Born on 1st March 1976, the Nupe native from Niger State started training on 18 August 1995 and finished on 16 September 2000. Investigators suspect he played the role of a key strategist for the coup plot. PREMIUM TIMES has not been able to verify that claim.
A member of the infantry corps, Mr Ma’aji was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2013, becoming a full colonel four years later. The 49-year-old officer was the Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army based in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
He took part in Operation Crocodile Smile II, a Nigerian Army military exercise conducted in 2017 to address security challenges in the Niger Delta and parts of the South-west. He also served at Depot, Nigerian Army and later as Commander, Operation Delta Safe.
He was a member of the 47 Regular Course of the NDA.
Lt. Colonel S. Bappah
Mr Bappah, a member of the Nigerian Army Signals Corps, with service number N/13036, is from Bauchi State in North-East Nigeria. He was born on 21 June 1984.
The 41-year-old officer started his cadet training on 27 September 2004 and completed it on 4 October 2008.
He is a member of the 56 Regular Course of the NDA
Lt Colonel A.A. Hayatu
Mr Hayatu, now a lieutenant colonel with service number N/13038, hails from Kaduna State.
Born on 13 August 1983, he underwent his cadet training between 27 September 2004 and 04 October 2008.
A member of the infantry corps, Mr Ma’aji was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2013, becoming a full colonel four years later. The 49-year-old officer was the Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army based in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
He took part in Operation Crocodile Smile II, a Nigerian Army military exercise conducted in 2017 to address security challenges in the Niger Delta and parts of the South-west. He also served at Depot, Nigerian Army and later as Commander, Operation Delta Safe.
He was a member of the 47 Regular Course of the NDA.
P. Dangnap
Mr Dangnap is from Plateau State. He was born on 1 April 1986. In 2015, he was court-martialed alongside 29 others for offences related to the fight against Boko Haram.
The 39-year-old officer, with service number N/13025 began his cadet training on 27 September 2004 and completed it on 4 October 2008.
An infantry corps officer, Mr Dangnap is also a member of the 56 Regular Course of the NDA.
Lt. Colonel M. Almakura
A member of the 56 Regular Course, Mr Al Makura, a lieutenant colonel from Nasarawa State, was born on 18 March 1983.
The infantry corps officer with service number N/12983 trained as a cadet at the NDA from 27 September 2004 to 4 October 2008.
Major A. J Ibrahim
Mr Ibrahim, a major with service number N/13065, hails from Gombe State.
Born on 12 June 1987, the Infantry Corps officer trained between 27 September 2004 and 4 October 2008.
He was a member of the 56 Regular Course, and he became a captain in 2013.
Major M.M. Jiddah
An indigene of Katsina State, Major Jiddah, was born on 9 July 1985.
He trained between 27 September 2004 and 4 October 2008.
Mr Jiddah is an infaArmy officer and a member of the 56 Regular Course.
His service number is N/13003.
Major M.A. Usman
Mr Usman is a Nigerian Army major with service number N/15404.
He was born on 1 April 1989. He hails from the Federal Capital Territory, in North-central Nigeria.
A member of the 60th Regular Course, the infantry officer trained as a cadet at the NDA between 16 August 2008 and 14 September 2012.
Major D. Yusuf
Mr Yusuf, a major with service number N/14753, is a member of the Ordnance Corps.
He was born on 26 May 1988. As a member of the 59th Regular Course, Mr Yusuf trained at NDA between 7 July 2007 and 8 September 2012.
The officer hails from Gombe State.
Major I. Dauda
Mr Dauda joined the army through the Direct Short Service Commissions.
Born on 26 November 1983, the infantry officer with service number N/13625, trained between 5 June 2009 and 27 March 2010.
Mr Dauda, who hails from Jigawa, is a member of Short Service Commission Course 38.
As of press time, details about the remaining five officers listed below are sketchy. They are also being detained for alleged involvement in the coup plot. Below is a little information about them:
Captain Ibrahim Bello
Mr Bello is 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.
Captain A.A Yusuf
He is an army captain with service number N/16724.
Lieutenant S.S Felix
A lieutenant with service number N/18105.
Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi
He is a Nigerian Navy personnel with service number NN/3289.
Squandron Leader S. B Adamu
An Air Force squadron leader with service number NAF/3481.
News
BREAKING: El-Rufai Tests Positive for Drug-Resistant Bacteria, Shows Signs of Possible Severe Infection—Report
…doctors recommend admission in hospital
A medical report on former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has revealed that a blood culture test detected Enterococcus faecium, a bacterium resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin, while his doctors listed possible sepsis among their clinical concerns.The findings are contained in two medical documents dated October 22, 2026, concerning the 66-year-old former governor, who is currently being detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) amid his prosecution.A laboratory report issued by Cerba Lancet Nigeria showed that both aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures tested positive for Enterococcus faecium after 24–48 hours of incubation.
The report stated: “Culture positive After 24-48 hours incubation.”
It identified the organism as Enterococcus faecium and explicitly described it as a “Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE).”
The laboratory report listed vancomycin as resistant, while several other antibiotics, including ampicillin/amoxicillin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, minocycline and linezolid, were marked as sensitive.
However, the laboratory document was marked “INTERIM REPORT” and stated: “Final Verified Report to Follow.”
This means the final verified laboratory result was still pending in the document provided.
A separate medical report issued by ASK+ Medical & Diagnostics on October 22 also documented the blood culture finding and detailed El-Rufai’s symptoms, clinical assessment and proposed treatment.
Under its clinical history section, the report stated: “The patient is a 66-year-old man with dyslipidemia, persistent headaches and insomnia. He presented with mild generalized headache and dizziness, without aura or photophobia. There is a reported history of hypotension.”
The report also noted that he appeared mildly dehydrated, with the clinical impression including dehydration in a case documented as resistant malaria and possible sepsis.
Under the clinical history section, the document described the assessment as “dehydration with resistant malaria and possible sepsis, with a suspected Para umbilical focus.”
The report recorded El-Rufai’s blood pressure at 93/70 mmHg and his pulse rate at 68 beats per minute.
His temperature was recorded as 36.2 degrees Celsius, while his oxygen saturation was 98 per cent on room air. The physical examination described him as being in no apparent respiratory or painful distress.
The report also contained an apparent difference in its assessment of his hydration status. While the clinical history described him as mildly dehydrated, the physical examination stated: “No dehydration.”
Under the investigations section, the ASK+ report confirmed the laboratory finding, stating: “Blood Culture: Enterococcus faecium (Gram-positive) isolated.”
It added that the organism was sensitive to several antibiotics, including ampicillin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, minocycline and linezolid, but resistant to vancomycin.
The report also listed gentamicin as sensitive, although the laboratory document presents the gentamicin result differently in its aerobic and anaerobic culture sections. The discrepancy requires clarification from the laboratory.
The ASK+ report stated that results from several other investigations, including a full blood count, malaria test, renal function test, liver function test, fasting lipid profile, random blood glucose, urinalysis and HbA1c, were within normal limits.
Despite those results, the positive blood culture prompted a recommendation for further medical evaluation and treatment guided by the laboratory findings.
Under its treatment plan, the report recommended admission for observation, intravenous fluids and medication for the documented clinical concerns.
It also advised that the blood culture and antibiotic sensitivity results be reviewed in consultation with an infectious disease physician.
The report stated: “Review the blood culture result and sensitivity results and, in consultation with Infectious disease physician, consider appropriate IV antibiotic therapy and admission for at least three days as advised by the clinical pathologist.”
It listed possible intravenous antibiotic options, including Augmentin, Gentalex, L-Flox and linezolid, subject to further clinical assessment and review of the culture results.
The findings come as El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody while facing prosecution. However, the medical documents do not establish any connection between his detention and the bacterial finding.
The Federal Government’s Independent Investigative Committee probing the deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State has found that the deceased died from asphyxiation.
The committee Chairman and former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the panel’s report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja.
Kure stated that the panel recommended that one point four billion be paid to the families of 33 victims and forty-four survivors.
The committee chairman added that the deaths were avoidable as the victims, inclng 14 minors, were held in inhuman conditions.
The committee also recommended summary dismissal of the state commandant of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and all other officers who were directly involved in the detention and eventual death of the miners
The committee equally recommended institutional reforms for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in order to strengthen the leadership of the corps.
The Minister of Interior, who received the report, promised to implement the recommendations of the committee in order to ensure justice for all affected persons.
Tunji-Ojo also directed the commandant of the Corps to immediately suspend all officers who cleaned up the detention centre in order to destroy evidence.
The finding marks a major development in the investigation into the deaths of the suspected illegal miners, who died on September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command in Minna.
The victims were among dozens of persons arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state. (PUNCH)
…Sen. Nnamani, Nwobodo, Dr. Nnamani, Chime, Ugwuanyi, Prof. Nnaji, Arthur Eze, Frank Nweke, Madueke, others get advisory roles
…Udeh, Nwoye, Utazi, Egumgbe, Ben Collins Ndu, Onyia, others head 51 Directorates
…Council to be inaugurated on Tuesday
The Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, unveiled the party’s Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Campaign Council, comprising 51 Directorates, is chaired by the Governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, while the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Deputy National Chairman, APC (South); Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; and the Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, are Vice Chairmen.
The list signed by Chukwunweike and the Secretary of Enugu APC, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, also has Chief Charlie Mbah as the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation and Dr. Eric Oluedo as the Secretary-General.
Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Dr. Dan Shere, and Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye are Deputy Campaign DGs for Enugu East Senatorial District, Enugu North Senatorial District, and Enugu West Senatorial District, respectively.
Barr. Steve Oruruo is the Campaign Spokesperson and Director of the Public Communication Committee, with Dr. Austin Okolie as co-spokesperson and Dr. Malachy Agbo as Secretary.
Mazi Uche Anichukwu and Dan Nwomeh, both drawn from the Governor’s media team, head the Directorate of New Media and Strategic Communication and the Directorate of Mainstream Media, respectively. Dr. Collins Ogbu is the Secretary of the former, while Dr. Reuben Onyishi is the Secretary of the latter.
Barr. Victor Udeh leads the Administration Directorate, while Dr. Ben Nwoye and Arc. Uche Nwatu are the Director and Co-Director of the Fundraising Committee, respectively.
Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla (Rtd.), chairs the Security Directorate, while former Inspector General of Police, Ogbono Onovo (Rtd.), is the Secretary.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology is in charge of the Directorate of Government Appointees Coordination (Federal and State), with Prof. Chidiebere Onyia as Secretary, while former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, heads Inter-Party Affairs.
Senator Osita Ngwu, Senator Ikeje Asogwa, and Senator Kelvin Chukwu are Coordinators of the Campaign Council in Enugu West, Enugu North, and Enugu East, respectively.
Meanwhile, in their co-signed statement, Chukwunweike and Nnadozie said the size of the Campaign Council was a reflection of “the conviction that every community, ward, local government area, professional group, support organisation, youth body, women’s group, elder, party faithful and person of goodwill must be seen, heard and meaningfully engaged.”
“Appointment into the campaign structure is therefore not merely an honour; it is a call to duty, accountability and measurable contribution,” they stated.
The Council will be inaugurated at the International Conference Centre, Enugu on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
All members of the Campaign Council are to be seated before 3pm.
CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE FULL LIST:
APC ENUGU CAMPAIGN COUNCIL COMPOSITION-1
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