Nigerian authorities on Saturday firmly rejected reports that more than a dozen military officers had been detained over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, dismissing the claims as “entirely false.” The denial came in a statement from Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, who did not specify which media outlets he was referring to but insisted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) remained committed to civilian rule.
The rebuttal followed reports from Sahara Reporters and Premium Times, which both claimed that at least 16 officers had been arrested for plotting to overthrow the government. Citing unnamed defense sources, the outlets alleged that the arrests were directly tied to a coup plan, contradicting the military’s earlier explanation that the detentions were related to “issues of indiscipline.”
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has a long and turbulent history of military takeovers, having spent much of the 20th century under junta rule following independence from Britain in 1960. A fresh coup would represent a dramatic reversal of more than 25 years of uninterrupted civilian governance, a period seen as a fragile but important democratic achievement.
The reports of a coup plot come at a time when the Nigerian military is already stretched thin, battling a prolonged insurgency by Boko Haram and Daesh West Africa Province in the northeast. While the intensity of violence has declined compared to its peak a decade ago, militant groups continue to stage deadly attacks on both civilians and military installations, raising questions about the armed forces’ capacity to manage internal threats while maintaining political stability.
Analysts note that even unconfirmed reports of coup plotting can destabilize Nigeria’s political climate, fueling uncertainty in a country already grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, and public frustration. The military’s swift denial appears aimed at reassuring both domestic and international audiences that the chain of command remains intact and that Nigeria’s democratic institutions are not under immediate threat.
Still, the conflicting narratives highlight the fragile trust between the military, the media, and the public. While official statements stress discipline and loyalty, persistent rumors of discontent within the ranks suggest deeper tensions that could resurface if left unaddressed.
Tags: Nigeria coup plot denial, Bola Tinubu coup rumors, Nigerian military officers arrested, Sahara Reporters coup claim, Premium Times Nigeria coup, Tukur Gusau defense statement, Nigeria Armed Forces coup denial, Boko Haram insurgency Nigeria, Daesh West Africa Province attacks, Nigeria democracy stability.
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