The Defence Headquarters on Monday said investigations into alleged misconduct by some officers revealed claims of a plot to overthrow the government.

In October 2025, the DHQ announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.

It was reported on October 18 that the officers — ranging in rank from Captain to Brigadier General — were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency for allegedly holding secret meetings to topple the government.

The platform also linked the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade to the alleged plot.

Reacting at the time, the former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said the publication was intended to create tension and distrust among Nigerians, adding that the matter was strictly a disciplinary issue handled internally.

“The ongoing investigation involving the sixteen officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism are maintained within the ranks. An investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings will be made public,” the statement said.

Providing an update on Monday, the new Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said a comprehensive investigation had been conducted in line with established military procedures.

He said the findings showed that some of the officers had cases to answer over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government and that the investigation report has now been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.

The statement partly read, “The Defence Headquarters issued a press statement in October 2025 regarding the arrest of sixteen officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that investigations into the matter have been concluded and the report forwarded to the appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.

“The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.

“The findings have identified several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the AFN.”

Uba said those indicted would be formally arraigned before relevant military judicial panels to face trial in line with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.

He stressed that the process would ensure accountability while upholding fairness and due process.

He emphasized that the measures being taken were purely disciplinary and formed part of institutional mechanisms aimed at preserving order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the ranks.

Uba added, “Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations. This ensures accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process.

“The AFN reiterates that measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the ranks.

“The Armed Forces remain resolute in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, loyalty, and respect for constitutional authority.”

Abba Atiku, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has joined the All Progressives Congress and declared that no political party can defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Abba spoke in Yola on Monday after picking his APC membership registration card at Gwadabawa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

He said he joined the party to contribute to what he described as the best economic and human reforms under the present administration.

“I want to make it very clear that nobody or any political party can stop President Bola Tinubu from returning to Aso Rock come 2027. Nigerians have seen his good work; he is not a tribalist, he don’t make appointments based on religion or region, but his decisions are purely on merit,” he said.

Abba said he was motivated to join the APC due to what he described as massive human and infrastructural development across the country under President Tinubu’s leadership.

“The president needs your support to continue with the good work. We should mobilise more people and beyond party affiliations to support our president,” he said.

The APC Zonal Vice Chairman, Adamawa Central, Alhaji Isa Bagalti, who handed over the membership card to Abba, said his defection had ended speculation that the APC could lose the 2027 election.

“It is now clear to people that there is no party in Nigeria or presidential candidate that can face our president at the poll come 2027,” he said.

Also speaking, a top APC chieftain in Adamawa State, Alhaji Jamil Yusuf, said President Tinubu has no rival ahead of the next presidential election.

He described other aspirants as wishful thinkers, saying they lacked the credentials to challenge the president.

“Majority of those saying that they are going to contest for the office of president see politics as a trade fair venue, where people sell and buy. I advise such people to invest their money in profitable ventures, because the office of the president is no longer for the highest bidder, but for competent people like President Tinubu,” he said.

Adamu Atiku, the first son of the former vice president, is a top member of the Peoples Democratic Party and a serving Commissioner for Works and Energy Development under Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s administration.

Atiku Abubakar is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, without any of his sons currently in the party with him.

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.

The governor gave the directive on Monday during an on-site visit to the market, along with some of his aides and other government officials.

Soludo warned that the closure could be extended if traders fail to comply with the directive, adding that security agencies have sealed the market to enforce the order.

The governor described the development as the latest—and perhaps most drastic—salvo in a protracted struggle over control of economic life in the South-East on Monday.

Soludo said that despite repeated assurances of enhanced security and appeals to reclaim public spaces, many traders at the iconic market once again chose to keep their stalls locked.

According to him, their absence amounted to a quiet rebellion that nonetheless spoke volumes about the lingering climate of fear.

Soludo said, “The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy. This is plain economic sabotage.

“We are not going to allow this. The closure is a protective measure for law-abiding citizens.”

He, however, issued a stern warning that if the market fails to reopen after the one-week shutdown, it will be sealed for one month.

“You either decide that you are going to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this,” the governor added.

The scene at the market on Monday was marked by tense enforcement, as a joint task force comprising police, army, and other security agencies was seen securing the perimeter.

As the gates remain locked this week, the standoff in Onitsha highlights the broader struggle to abolish the Monday sit-at-home.

When the market is scheduled to reopen next Monday, attention will be on the traders—whether they will return to their stalls following the state’s show of force, or whether empty aisles will deliver a different verdict.

The outcome may determine not just the fate of the market, but the rhythm of economic life in Anambra State on Mondays.

The state government had earlier directed traders and businesses to continue normal activities on Mondays as part of efforts to restore economic stability and end disruptions caused by recurring sit-at-home observances.

Meanwhile, there were reports on Saturday that the state government would begin pro-rata salary payments for workers across the state as part of efforts to end the Monday sit-at-home.

The State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, disclosed this to journalists in Awka, noting that effective February 2026, civil servants’ salaries would be paid according to attendance on Mondays.

Mefor said the decision was reached during the end-of-tenure retreat of the Anambra State Executive Council held in Awka, which reviewed the administration’s activities over its concluding four-year tenure and outlined priorities for the new term beginning on March 17, 2026.