Barely a month after news of an alleged coup surfaced, the Nigerian military is experiencing massive and unprecedented major shakeups especially redeployment of senior army officers across formations and units.
Over 40 senior army officers have been deployed and reassigned to new assignments under strict supervision, according to sources.
Although the Defense Headquarters and Federal Government have dismissed the claim of a military coup, recent major shakeups in the military prove otherwise.
BACKGROUND
In early October 2025, a story about an alleged coup plot emerged on social media, and it sparked a lot of controversies.
The alleged coup, which reportedly happened in late September, was set to be executed on October 1, 2025, during the Independence Day parade.
The Defence Headquarters foiled the coup and arrested and detained 16 military officers involved, ranging from captain to brigadier general, in the plan to overthrow the government.
The military on October 4, 2025, via a press statement, disclosed that some army officers have been arrested over promotion scandals, among others.
President Bola Tinubu on October 24, 2025, appointed new service chiefs to replace the current ones.
Despite denial from the military, some sources disclosed that the recent alleged coup in Nigeria involves 42 military officers who have been detained for plotting against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Out of the 42 military officers, 16 senior officers have been identified, including Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, who is suspected to be the leader of the coup plot and a member of the infantry corps.
Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, who is assumed to be a key strategist for the coup plot and commanding officer of the 19th Battalion of the Nigerian Army, and other officers, such as four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, a lieutenant, a lieutenant commander, and a squadron leader from the Navy and Air Force.
They were accused of planning to assassinate key government officials, including President Tinubu and the vice president.
There are unverified claims that the Defense Intelligence Agency and Military Police are tracing communication chains and possible funding channels linked to the suspects.
REDEPLOYMENT?
60 major generals and 11 brigadier generals have been redeployed by the Nigerian Army.
The military secretary, in a memo dated October 30 and reportedly signed by EL Okoro, disclosed that the affected senior officers are expected to resume their new primary assignments on November 3, 2025.
According to the memo, just four of sixty major generals were asked to continue in their current positions, but with new appointments.
The four officers are PAO Okoye, Y. Yahaya, I. Otu, and S. Nuhu.
“It is the responsibility of all formations/unit commanders whose officers are affected by this posting to implement accordingly,” the memo reads.
“Officers must take over on the effective dates indicated herein, while the receiving formation/unit must furnish ADQ Dept of MS with the date the officer was taken on strength.
“Formations/unit commanders are to take immediate administrative action on any officer who fails to report on the effective date of posting and inform this department accordingly. Commanders who fail to release posted officers to report on the date stipulated will be appropriately sanctioned.
REDEPLOYMENT: LIST OF SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS AFFECTED
T.T Sidick
B.A Alabi
O.T Olatoye
O.G Onubogu
J.H Abdussalam
S.T Shafaru
A.G Ibrahim
P.P Malla
W.B Idris
S.S Jiya
T.E Gagariga
A.A Aboaba
I.G Lassa
J.O Adeyemo
A.GL Haruna
G.M Mukim
E.O Agbebaku
M.T Abdullahi
A.M Garba
S.T Audu
U.B Abubakar
A. Garba
P.O Hodibia
P.A.O Okoye
A.E Edet
W.B Etuk
M.A Etsu-Ndagi
A.A Adereti
Y. Yahaya
V.U Okoro
H.I Mabeokwu
K.O Osemwegie
R.I Odi
S. Nicodemus
O.M Bello
U.T Opuene
M.L.D Saraso
A.A Ekubi
I.B Maina
A.A Idris
M.T Usman
I.M Abdullahı
A.O.D Okoro
O.D Williams
H. Yanel
E.S Mustapha
J.O Attah
A.A.W Hassan
M. Adamu
O.A Awolo
O.A Fadairo
I. Otu
S.D Makolo
J.R Lar
N.D Shagaya
V.D Beryo
M.D Danja
S. Nuhu
K.E Chigbu
A.G Mahmuda
J.D Bulus
S.M Uba
I.P Bindul
A.M Inuwa
Y.D Ahmed
R.E Hedima
K.N Nwoko
S.Y Yakasai
O.M Oyekola
K. Rabiu
A.O Owolabı