The Nigerian Army has carried out a major reshuffle involving its top leadership, redeploying 56 major-generals and 11 brigadier-generals across various formations and units.

This is according to a report by TheCable.

The reassignments were approved in a posting memo dated October 30, 2025, signed by E.L. Okoro, military secretary (army), and obtained by TheCable. According to the document, the senior officers are to assume their new duties on November 3, 2025.

Only four major-generals — P.A.O. Okoye, Y. Yahaya, I. Otu and S. Nuhu — will remain in their current commands, but with updated appointments.

“It is the responsibility of all formations/unit commanders whose officers are affected by this posting to implement accordingly,” the memo stated.

“Officers must take over on the effective dates indicated herein, while the receiving formation/unit must furnish AHQ Dept of MS with the date the officer was taken on strength.

“Formations/unit commanders are to take immediate administrative action on any officer who fails to report on the effective date of posting and inform this department accordingly. Commanders who fail to release posted officers to report on the date stipulated will be appropriately sanctioned.

“Commanders will also be held responsible for lapses in the implementation of the directive contained herein.”

The latest changes come just days after President Bola Tinubu approved a reorganisation of the nation’s service chiefs. Major-General Waidi Shaibu recently assumed office as chief of defence staff (CDS), replacing Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede, who was elevated to head the armed forces.

Air Vice-Marshal Sunday Aneke was appointed chief of air staff, while Rear Admiral Idi Abbas became chief of naval staff.

The redeployment follows weeks of heightened security attention in the military hierarchy amid reports of a failed coup plot, which authorities have consistently denied.

FULL LIST OF OFFICERS AFFECTED

T.T Sidick
B.A Alabi
O.T Olatoye
O.G Onubogu
J.H Abdussalam
S.T Shafaru
A.G Ibrahim
P.P Malla
W.B Idris
S.S Jiya
T.E Gagariga
A.A Aboaba
I.G Lassa
J.O Adeyemo
A.G.L. Haruna
G.M Mukim
E.O Agbebaku
M.T Abdullahi
A.M Garba
S.T Audu
U.B Abubakar
A. Garba
P.O Hodibia
P.A.O Okoye
A.E Edet
W.B Etuk
M.A Etsu-Ndagi
A.A Adereti
Y. Yahaya
V.U Okoro
H.I Mabeokwu
K.O Osemwegie
R.I Odi
S. Nicodemus
O.M Bello
U.T Opuene
M.L.D Saraso
A.A Ekubi
I.B Maina
A.A Idris
M.T Usman
I.M Abdullahi
A.O.D Okoro
O.D Williams
H. Yanel
E.S Mustapha
J.O Attah
A.A.W Hassan
M. Adamu
O.A Awolo
O.A Fadairo
I. Otu
S.D Makolo
J.R Lar
N.D Shagaya
V.D Beryo
M.D Danja
S. Nuhu
K.E Chigbu
A.G Mahmuda
J.D Bulus
S.M Uba
I.P Bindul
A.M Inuwa
Y.D Ahmed
R.E Hedima
K.N Nwoko
S.Y Yakasai
O.M Oyekola
K. Rabiu
A.O Owolabi

An air force officer recently deployed to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was allegedly designated to assassinate Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), in the foiled coup plot, sources close to the investigation have revealed.

Identified as Squadron Leader SB Adamu, with service number NAF/3481 and from Jigawa state, the officer was posted to the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) just four weeks before the alleged coup was disrupted. The NCTC operates under the coordination of ONSA.

Investigators say Adamu was the only suspect directly linked to ONSA among those currently being interrogated, contradicting earlier reports that multiple officers in custody worked within the NSA’s office.

According to military insiders, Major General Adamu Garba Laka — the National Coordinator of the NCTC — had requested a specific officer be deployed to the centre in August 2025. However, his request was not approved, and Squadron Leader Adamu was instead posted there, raising concerns that coup planners may have penetrated the military hierarchy.

Adamu is a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Regular Course 59. His posting and alleged mission are now central to security probes examining how deeply the suspected network reached into key national security structures.

His deployment came shortly before President Bola Tinubu dismissed two service chiefs, including former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, in what sources describe as a sweeping leadership shake-up.

Security sources allege that the officer was specifically tasked with eliminating Ribadu, while other members of the suspected ring were assigned to target additional senior officials as part of a coordinated plan to dismantle the nation’s leadership.

Investigators say Adamu is cooperating with authorities and has provided critical insight into the plot and the roles assigned to various officers.

Although reports of a coup attempt have circulated widely, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has yet to officially acknowledge the plot. In response to media coverage, DHQ issued a statement describing the detention and questioning of 16 officers as part of routine internal disciplinary processes.

Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, said findings from the inquiry would be made public once concluded, but did not confirm any coup-related motive.

Despite this, more names and identities of detained officers continue to emerge across media reports, as investigators intensify scrutiny of the alleged network and its objectives.

Credit: TheCable

Two military officers have reportedly fled Nigeria after being linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the government and dismantle democratic institutions, TheCable has learnt.

The escape comes as the military continues to intensify its crackdown on alleged conspirators, following the initial detention of 16 officers in the first week of October.

According to TheCable, Sources familiar with the investigation said that authorities had identified 18 officers for arrest in connection with the plan, but two escaped before they could be apprehended.

One of the officers on the run has been identified as Major JM Ganaks, with service number N/14363, from the federal capital territory (FCT). Military insiders said he belongs to Regular Course 58 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and was stationed in Jaji, Kaduna state.

Also declared wanted is Captain G. Binuga, with service number N/167722, who hails from Taraba state. Binuga is listed under Regular Course 64 and was serving at DHQ SOF in Bida, Niger state.

According to security sources, statements obtained from some of the detained officers have been instrumental in making additional arrests. It is estimated that more than 30 officers are now in custody, with investigators pursuing further leads.

While some suspects are said to be refusing to cooperate, several others have reportedly provided “useful information” to authorities handling the probe. Contrary to speculation circulating across various platforms, the alleged coup was not scheduled for October 1; rather, arrests only began during the early days of the month.

The military has yet to officially acknowledge a coup attempt. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) recently insisted that the ongoing detention and interrogation of 16 officers is part of a “routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism within the ranks.”

The investigation, however, continues to unfold as security agencies track down remaining suspects believed to be connected to the foiled plot.