A pro-democracy group, the Concerned Pro-Democratic Activists of Nigeria, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to review the continued detention of military officers arrested over an alleged coup plot, citing worsening health conditions and prolonged confinement.
The appeal follows the arrest of 16 military officers announced on October 4, 2025, by the former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau. At the time, the military said the officers were detained for breaches of service regulations and acts of indiscipline.
According to the military, investigations revealed that the grievances of the affected officers were largely linked to perceived career stagnation resulting from repeated failure in promotion examinations.
However, media reports later suggested that the officers were being held over an alleged failed coup plot, a claim reportedly linked to the Federal Government’s sudden cancellation of the October 1, 2025 Independence Day Parade. The allegation was subsequently denied by both the military and the government.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, the group’s chairman, Yusuf Musa Dauda, raised alarm over the health condition of some of the detained officers, alleging that they have been falling seriously ill in custody without access to adequate medical care.
Dauda also decried the continued denial of access to family members, saying relatives have not been allowed to see or communicate with the detained officers since their arrest.
He described the prolonged detention without trial or formal charges as disturbing in a democratic setting and called on President Tinubu to intervene in the interest of justice.
“The Defence Headquarters, through its former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, announced the arrest of these officers on October 4, 2025, over alleged indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” Dauda said.
“The military stated that their grievances were linked to repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation. Weeks later, rumours emerged that the arrests were connected to an alleged coup plot, which was immediately debunked by the authorities.”
While condemning any attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government, Dauda urged the authorities to handle the matter with fairness and transparency.
“We strongly condemn any undemocratic action, but we appeal to the government and relevant authorities to review this issue with fairness and ensure that those detained receive proper medical attention,” he said.
The group further called on the Federal Government to allow the detained officers access to their families to ease their anxiety and reassure them of their safety.
“They should either be released if there is no case against them or charged to court to allow due legal process to determine the allegations,” Dauda added.
