Wives of some detained military officers have described the emotional strain they have endured over the past six months as their husbands remain in custody over an alleged coup plot, according to The Punch.
They recounted, in subdued tones, the moments leading up to the arrests and the uncertainty that has followed. The Defence Headquarters had announced on October 4, 2025, that 16 senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force were arrested for alleged breaches of military regulations and indiscipline, initially describing the matter as internal.
However, subsequent investigations suggested a more serious allegation involving a covert network of officers accused of planning a coup, reportedly targeting key national assets and top officials, including Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
The report listed those said to be in detention as Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
Months after the arrests, the officers are still being held, with their families expressing concern over restricted access, inconsistent information and the lack of a clear judicial process. Recently, some of their children staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, calling for a speedy trial and the release of their fathers.
The officers’ wives, including Nana, Shafa’atu and Farida, were said to be grappling with fear, stigma and uncertainty, as they continued to await clarity on the fate of their spouses.
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Nana Usman, a civil servant and fashion designer, recounted that her husband, Lt. Col. Sadiq Mohammed, was among the officers arrested in connection with what authorities described as an alleged coup plot, stressing that she used the term “alleged” because no evidence had been presented.
She explained that before his arrest, he had been serving in Maiduguri, actively involved in operations against insurgents, and was picked up at the war front. According to her, the family was not officially informed about his arrest, as she had repeatedly tried to reach him without success.
She added that the arrests appeared to have been carried out in a similar manner across different locations, with several officers taken without prior notice to their families. She noted that information about their detention later filtered through unofficial channels, indicating they were being held at the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Usman further stated that when the matter became public, the government initially denied any link to a coup plot, maintaining that the arrests were related to internal or disciplinary issues, even as speculations continued to grow.
Further talking, she said, “I kept wondering because my husband is someone very dedicated to his work and has never had any issues with his subordinates. They can even check his PR -there is this record they have. He has never had any issues. He’s a humble person and works so hard just to see that Nigeria is better, just the way most officers are.”
