16 Soldiers Face Death Penalty for Alleged Coup Plot Against Nigerian President

16 Nigerian soldiers from various ranks in the armed forces are set to face a court-martial for allegedly planning a coup against President Bola Tinubu. The investigation, initiated in October 2025, led to the arrest of suspects who are currently in custody.

The Defence Intelligence Agency is overseeing the case, with a high-level military panel examining the allegations. Major General Samaila Uba, the Director of Defence Information, confirmed that the soldiers will be formally arraigned before a military judicial panel in line with military regulations.

The severity of the offense, classified as a capital offense under military law, could result in the death penalty unless mitigated by presidential clemency. Retired senior military officials, including Gen.

Bashir Adewinbi and Maj. Bashir Galma, emphasized the gravity of coup attempts and the need for strict punishment to deter future threats to Nigeria's democracy.

This incident echoes past military regimes in Nigeria that imposed death sentences on officials involved in coup plots, such as Major General Mamman Vatsa during the 1986 coup and others during Gen. Sani Abacha's rule.