Nigerian Retired Generals Warn Indicted Officers of Death Penalty Under Military Law

Retired generals in Nigeria have revealed that officers implicated in a reported coup plot may be subject to the death penalty under military law. The military high command confirmed detaining 16 officers since October 2025 and is ready to administer punishments ranging from imprisonment to death if found guilty.

The panel investigating the arrested officers will determine their fate. The retired military officials emphasized that attempting a coup is a serious offense under Nigeria's military law, with death being the ultimate punishment in line with the Armed Forces Act.

Notably, the decision on whether to prosecute the indicted officers lies with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, who is urged to uphold justice without bias or undue leniency.