Coup Accused Officers' Families Appeal for Compassion

Family members of 16 military officers detained on charges of involvement in a coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu are requesting leniency from the Presidency and other authorities, as reported by Weekend Trust.

These relatives are actively contacting top political and government officials at the seat of power in an effort to persuade the president to show mercy during this turbulent time.

Weekend Trust previously revealed that at least 16 military officers were implicated in a report presented to the president following the coup attempt.

According to retired senior military officials, these officers are currently awaiting court martial proceedings.

This situation follows statements from the military high command indicating that the detained officers, who have been held since October 2025, were found culpable of the alleged offenses.

In October of the previous year, reports surfaced regarding the arrests of officers, ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier-General, conducted by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for allegedly attempting to topple Tinubu's administration.

Family Perspectives

In an exclusive conversation with Weekend Trust, a relative of one of the detained Majors explained that they are considering various avenues, including political avenues, to address the matter.

"We understand the severity of the charges given military regulations and national laws, but these are our family members. We cannot lose them at this point, as they are vital providers for their families,” said the family member.

He continued, “We would like to appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief, to show mercy. He is a father figure and the nation’s leader; we earnestly request his compassion. While we acknowledge the need for punishment, we wish to avoid any extreme measures, such as execution.”

Another family member, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed shock at the news of their relatives being detained over a coup allegation.

“We initially believed their detention was unjust, but given the current situation, we just want to ask for forgiveness from the Nigerian public and particularly appeal to the president: please show mercy towards our sons,” he said.

He further remarked, "Some of them have young children. We ask for your understanding. We trust that they have learned their lessons."

Security expert Abdullahi Garba emphasized the importance of a transparent and fair trial for the detained officers to preclude any perception of bias, especially given the background of many of these individuals.

The Risks of a Coup

Retired Major Bashir Galma, who was involved in the 1983 coup, described such plots as inherently risky endeavors, stating, “Engaging in a coup is fraught with danger. Each job has its risks; we were fortunate during our attempt back in December 1983.”

He recalled, “On that notable Friday night, our roles were clearly defined, with mine being to secure communication centers in Kaduna.”

Details About the Detained Officers

The officers under detention include a Brigadier-General, a Colonel, four Lieutenant Colonels, five Majors, two Captains, a Lieutenant, a Lieutenant Commander from the Navy, and a Squadron Leader from the Air Force.

Evidence indicates that 12 of these 14 army officers are associated with the Infantry Corps, the main ground combat division, with one officer from the Signals Corps and another from the Ordnance Corps, which manages military equipment and supplies.

Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, born January 3, 1974, is among the detained. He ascended from Cadet at the Nigerian Defence Academy to his current rank, earning commendations for his service.

Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, born March 1, 1976, is reported to have played a crucial strategic role in the alleged conspiracy.

An exploration of the backgrounds of the other officers revealed they have varied experiences, with some previously court-martialed for other offenses.

The remaining officers have names and details that are still emerging, including Captain Ibrahim Bello, Captain A.A. Yusuf, Lieutenant S.S. Felix, and others who are also facing serious allegations.