January 23, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
At least five of the military officers currently detained over an alleged coup d’état to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government have reportedly fallen ill while in custody, SaharaReporters has learned.
The officers, initially detained at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja, were moved into a dark, underground military cell a few weeks ago, according to sources familiar with the situation.
“About five of them are critically sick and two of them collapsed last week. Till now, some of them are keeping mum. One of them wasn’t even involved. He is being punished for being aware, but failing to alert the military authorities,” a military source told SaharaReporters.
Families of the detained officers said they have not been informed about the whereabouts of their relatives for months. The officers have been held incommunicado, with relatives denied access to them, SaharaReporters was told.
Below are the profiles of the detained officers as compiled by PREMIUM TIMES:
- Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (N/10321): Believed to be the suspected leader of the alleged coup plot.
- Colonel M.A. Ma’aji (N/10668): Born March 1, 1976, Nupe native from Niger State.
- Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah (N/13036): From Bauchi State, member of the 56 Regular Course.
- Lieutenant Colonel A.A. Hayatu (N/13038): Native of Kaduna State.
- Lieutenant Colonel P. Dangnap (N/13025): From Plateau State; court-martialed in 2015 for offences related to the Boko Haram war.
- Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura (N/12983): From Nasarawa State, born March 18, 1983.
- Major A.J. Ibrahim (N/13065): From Gombe State, born June 12, 1987.
- Major M.M. Jiddah (N/13003): Born July 9, 1985, from Katsina State.
- Major M.A. Usman (N/15404): From the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
- Major D. Yusuf (N/14753): From Gombe State; serves in the Ordnance Corps.
- Major I. Dauda (N/13625): From Jigawa State; entered through Direct Short Service Commission.
- Captain Ibrahim Bello (N/16266): Born July 28, 1987; Direct Short Service Commission Course 43.
- Captain A.A. Yusuf (N/16724): Nigerian Army officer with limited public records.
- Lieutenant S.S. Felix (N/18105): Junior officer; role unclear.
- Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (NN/3289): Nigerian Navy officer connected to the alleged plot.
- Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (NAF/3481): Nigerian Air Force officer under investigation.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had earlier reported that military operatives raided the Abuja residence of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva in Maitama, Abuja, in connection with the alleged coup plot.
Multiple security sources confirmed to SaharaReporters that the operation was carried out by a “special military team” after intelligence reports linked a former South-South governor to alleged secret meetings with some of the detained officers.
Sylva later confirmed the military raid on his residence in a statement but denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot.