Amanze Chinonye
Global Affairs Analyst and Chief Analyst for NextMoney magazine, Mr Alex Ekemenah, has urged caution in interpreting reports of the alleged coup attempt in Nigeria, noting inconsistencies in the narrative regarding which agency carried out the arrests and whether the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has the statutory authority to do so.
Ekemenah said he was “circumspect” about stories originating from a particular news platform, stressing the need for journalists and the public to pause before lending credence to claims that could turn out to be false or politically motivated. He anchored his position on the fact that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency and the Defence headquarters have been very economical with facts surrounding the alleged attempt at coup de’tat.
“My understanding of military intelligence structure is that the DIA’s work focuses on external threats and foreign intelligence gathering to safeguard Nigeria’s strategic defence interests,” Ekemenah explained. “It operates mostly outside the country, often through our embassies and missions.”
This comes as fresh details emerged on the reported coup plot allegedly hatched by some disgruntled Nigerian military officers to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration, as unnamed top security and military sources were quoted as having disclosed that the conspirators had allegedly planned to assassinate key government officials in a coordinated attack before seizing power.
According to PREMIUM TIMES investigations, about 20 officers including senior personnel attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have been arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and are currently being interrogated over the alleged plan, described by officials as one of the most audacious threats to Nigeria’s democracy in recent times.
Intelligence sources familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES that the plot, uncovered in late September, led the Presidency to cancel this year’s Independence Day parade scheduled for October 1. The annual event, which typically features a military procession, was scrapped reportedly to “avoid unnecessary risk” after the arrests were made.
“The coup planners scheduled 25 October to strike,” a top military insider disclosed. “That was the tentative date. If things did not work out that day, they would have continued plotting.”
The alleged coup plotters reportedly planned to assassinate several high-ranking officials, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
“They also planned to arrest top military officers, including the service chiefs,” another source said. “They did not intend to kill them, but to remove them from the chain of command.”
According to the insider accounts, the conspirators were working with informants within the Presidential Villa and security units close to key government figures.
“They have people in the villa that monitored the movements of these officials,” one source said. “They wanted to kill them simultaneously and install a military government.”
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While the identities of the detained officers have not been made public, sources say the Defence Headquarters has already constituted a multi-agency investigative panel comprising representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to probe the matter.
Despite the alarming claims, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has maintained that the detained officers were not arrested over any coup plot.
In a statement dated October 4, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, clarified that the officers were being investigated for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
“Preliminary findings indicated that the officers’ grievances stemmed from career stagnation and failure in promotion examinations,” Gusau said, warning the public against spreading misinformation that could undermine national stability or the morale of the armed forces.
Nevertheless, senior military sources insist the scope of the investigation goes beyond disciplinary breaches, as multiple agencies continue to gather intelligence on possible collaborators and foreign links.
Ekemenah Questions DIA’s Role, Urges Caution Over Unverified Claims
Ekemenah, a global affairs analyst told Prime Business Africa that the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) sometimes referred to as the Army’s Military Police, is traditionally responsible for internal surveillance within the military, including detecting sabotage or coup plotting among officers.
He further clarified that while the Air Force and Navy maintain their own intelligence units that report to their respective service chiefs, the DMI works closely with the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which coordinates all national intelligence activities.
“If the Defence Intelligence Agency actually detected and foiled such a major plot, then the failure of other security organs to pick up early warning signs is a cause for concern,” Ekemenah observed. “It would mean the DSS, DMI, and ONSA all missed critical signals.”
He, however, cautioned against hasty conclusions based on speculative reports.
“We must pause before lending credence to a story that might turn out to be untrue. Given the sensitivity, it could also be an attempt to test public reaction, caution the military, or signal to politicians about the fragile state of national stability,” he said.
Ekemenah also suggested that the story could be serving several political or institutional purposes including warning the military to remain alert, testing the public mood, or reminding political leaders about the need for restraint and accountability.
“Whatever the case, Nigeria has reached a delicate point,” he cautioned. “Military intervention is not the answer. We’ve been down that road before, and it only set the country back.”
Neither the Presidency nor the Office of the National Security Adviser has officially commented on the latest allegations, but reports indicate that the arrests and heightened security measures have created tension within both government and military circles.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
