Retired General, Son arrested over alleged coup against President Tinubu
A retired Army General, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, has reportedly been arrested alongside serving military officers and civilians over an alleged plan to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Gana, a native of Niger State and the Danmagayaki of Nupe, was said to have been taken into custody about a week after his son, Lieutenant Colonel Sadiq Ibrahim-Gana, was earlier detained by military intelligence officers.
Lt. Col. Ibrahim-Gana, who until his arrest was the Commanding Officer of the 115 Battalion in Askira, Borno State, is listed among the 35 military personnel currently being held in connection with the alleged coup plot.
Military sources disclosed that investigators are focusing on the retired general’s alleged close relationship with Colonel Alhassan Ma’aji, who is described as the suspected mastermind of the foiled plot.
According to one source, the retired general was accused of helping Colonel Ma’aji gain admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in August 1995. While no direct involvement has been established beyond their relationship, investigators believe he may have had prior knowledge of the alleged plan.
The same source claimed that Lt. Col. Ibrahim-Gana was arrested despite being actively engaged in counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram in the North-East.
“They found nothing linking him directly. He was fully involved in operations in Borno, but investigators still believe there may be a connection,” the source said.
The investigation has reportedly extended beyond the military, with several civilians also picked up. Among them are mechanics accused of repairing vehicles allegedly used by the suspected plotters, as well as a staff member of Julius Berger.
“Even mechanics who worked on some vehicles were arrested. Many people who know nothing about the matter are now in detention,” the source alleged.
Earlier reports also indicated that a police officer, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim from Taraba State, was arrested in Abuja by operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over the same allegation.
Those reportedly detained include one Brigadier General, two Colonels, five Lieutenant Colonels, one Wing Commander, eight Majors, one Navy Lieutenant Commander, two Squadron Leaders, five Captains, and one Lieutenant.
In addition, 10 non-commissioned officers are said to be in custody, including a warrant officer, five sergeants, a corporal, and two lance corporals.
While most of the detainees are from northern Nigeria, sources noted that one Army Captain is from Osun State and an Air Force Squadron Leader is from Bayelsa State.
Families of the detained officers have expressed growing concern, with reports that at least five suspects have fallen ill in custody and two reportedly collapsed.
There are also allegations that some detainees were moved to an underground military facility in Abuja described as dark and poorly ventilated. Families further complained of prolonged incommunicado detention and denial of access to legal representation.
Although the Defence Headquarters initially denied the existence of any coup plot when the arrests first surfaced in October 2025, it has now confirmed that allegations of attempts to overthrow the government were uncovered during investigations.
According to the DHQ, officers found to have cases to answer will be tried before appropriate military judicial panels.
