Nigeria charges six suspects over foiled 2025 coup attempt

Tuesday 21 April 2026 - 12:15

Nigeria’s prosecution authorities have formally charged six individuals in connection with an alleged coup attempt that was foiled by security forces in 2025, according to documents submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Among the accused is a retired major general. The defendants are alleged to have conspired “to wage war against the state in order to intimidate the President of the Federal Republic,” according to the prosecution.

The case follows earlier military announcements in October 2025, when 16 officers were arrested over what was initially described as disciplinary issues. Although officials publicly downplayed speculation at the time, later reports suggested that the arrests were linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the government.

In January, the military acknowledged that an attempted coup had indeed taken place and confirmed that several officers would face trial for allegedly planning to remove President Bola Tinubu from power.

The six suspects are expected to appear before the Abuja Federal High Court on Wednesday. It remains unclear whether this civilian judicial process will replace or run alongside a separate military trial.

The alleged coup attempt prompted President Tinubu to carry out a major reshuffle within the senior military leadership. The case is unfolding at a politically sensitive moment, as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 election cycle, in which Tinubu is expected to seek a second term.

The president is also facing growing pressure over national security challenges, as the country continues to deal with rising violence from armed groups and militant networks operating in several regions.