At least 16 military officers indicted for plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu are facing sentences ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty, the military high command has confirmed.…Retired military officers, who spoke to Daily Trust in separate interviews last night, said Nigeria’s military law prescribes death penalty for attempted coup.
No fewer than 16 military officers, who have been in detention since October 2025, are now facing capital punishment for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, Daily Trust reports. The arrests, which involved officers ranging from the rank of captain to brigadier-general, were carried out by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) following suspicions of an attempted coup. Retired military officers told Daily Trust that Nigeria’s military law prescribes the death penalty for such offences.
The panel that investigated the detained officers reportedly submitted its findings to the president, Daily Trust had exclusively reported on Monday. Confirming the submission, the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, said the probe panel had handed over its report to the “appropriate superior authority.” The military high command has since indicated that the indicted officers were found guilty of the offence.
The arrests in October 2025 marked a significant crackdown on alleged coup plotting within the armed forces, highlighting ongoing concerns over military discipline and national security. The officers now face sentencing that could include life imprisonment or execution, depending on the outcome of the legal proceedings.
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But speaking to our correspondent, two retired officers: Gen. Bashir Adewinbi (Rtd) and Major Bashir Galma (Rtd), explained that the punishment for attempted coup is death in line with the Armed Forces Act of Nigeria.
The duo said that, except the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, temper justice with mercy, there is no way the indicted officers can come out freely from the offence.
Gen. Adewinbi said, “The coup is a criminal offence in the military, and there are penalties for it. The military high command might have denied it for the first time for them to ascertain and conclude their investigations.