Some Nigerian military officers are expected to face a military court after being accused of planning to remove President Bola Tinubu from office. The armed forces relate the case to events that occurred last year.
The military arrested 16 officers in October. Officials at the time linked the arrests to poor discipline and violations of military rules. The army strongly denied reports that there was any coup attempt. However, after several months of investigation, military leaders have now confirmed that some of the 16 officers will appear before a military judicial panel.
The military has not disclosed the precise number of officers under trial. It stressed that the legal process will be fair and follow due process. In an official statement, the armed forces said any attempt to remove an elected government goes against military values and professional standards. Nigeria’s history makes such accusations very sensitive. Between 1966 and 1993, the country experienced six successful military coups, and soldiers ruled Nigeria for almost 30 years. Since 1999, Nigeria has remained under civilian rule for over 25 years, the longest democratic period in its history.
In recent years, public frustration over insecurity and economic hardship has sometimes led to rumours of dissatisfaction within the military. Military leaders have repeatedly rejected these claims and have issued several public statements supporting democracy and civilian leadership. This case comes at a time of growing concern across West Africa. Since 2020, soldiers have taken power in four countries: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea. Although Guinea has recently returned to civilian rule after elections, the region remains on high alert.
Nigeria, which makes up about 50% of West Africa’s population, has often played a leading role in promoting stability through the regional body Ecowas. Within Nigeria, the military continues to face heavy pressure, battling insurgents in the northeast and dealing with banditry and communal violence in other regions. Security experts say these challenges, along with limited resources and public scrutiny, have increased attention to discipline and loyalty within the military.
