Cover Story

Army Arrest 16 Officers Over Alleged Coup Plot.

No fewer than 16 high ranking military officers have been arrested and detained in connection with an alleged coup plot to remove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office.

This is part of a sweeping investigation into allegations of a conspiracy aimed at overthrowing President Tinubu’s administration, as reported by Pepper-Room.

The detained officers are from the ranks of Captain to Brigadier-Generals, who were apprehended in what has been described as a meticulously coordinated operation led by the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, in collaboration with various other security agencies.

The arrests of the alleged coup plotters took place across multiple locations in the country, indicating a broad and systematic crackdown on potential threats to the government.

Initially, the Defence Headquarters had attempted downplaying the situation, attributing the arrests and detentions as components of a “routine military exercise” aimed at addressing “issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”

Pepper-Room however gathered from insiders within military circles insights that have cast doubt on this official narrative, suggesting that the DHQ rationale behind the arrests and detentions was just a deliberate smokescreen designed to prevent public alarm and maintain stability within the armed forces and the nation at large.

This situation highlights the growing tensions and complexities surrounding the current political climate in Nigeria.

A senior DIA official who pleaded anonymity, because he was not authorized to speak on the matter said, “The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were just being diplomatic in the statement released by the spokesperson.

“They had begun holding secret meetings to overthrow the President and announce a military government.”

Earlier in its official statement through the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Nigeria Army Directorate of Information had said the officers’ detention followed internal investigations into misconduct and disobedience.

The statement added, “Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.

“Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service.”

Insiders however insisted that the arrests were linked to an attempted coup that was foiled after intelligence agencies intercepted communications and meeting plans.

Pepper Room gathered that the conspirators had planned to execute the coup during the October 1 65th Independence Day parade, targeting President Tinubu and other senior officials of government in attendance.

The source confirmed, “Yes, they were arrested for planning to stage a coup and take over the government.

“That was why the Independence Day parade marking the country’s 65th indeoendence anniversary was abruptly cancelled. Intelligence indicated they intended to strike during the event.”

This has been The Red Hot Report from Pepper-Room. The news that bears it all.

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