Pro-Democracy Group Appeals for Release of Detained Soldiers Over Alleged Coup Plot

The Concerned Pro-Democratic Activists of Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu and the federal government to address the deteriorating health and prolonged detention of military officers arrested over an alleged coup plot in October 2025.

The officers, including 16 individuals reported by the military to have breached service regulations, were taken into custody following allegations linked to career stagnation and repeated promotion exam failures. Sources indicated the arrests were related to a purported failed coup, coinciding with the cancellation of the Independence Day Parade on October 1, 2025.

Yusuf Musa Dauda, chairman of the pro-democracy group, said some detainees are seriously ill and have not received medical attention. He decried the lack of family access and urged the government to either release the officers if no charges exist or ensure proper legal proceedings.

The group called for the authorities to address the issue transparently and provide appropriate medical care, emphasizing that prolonged detention without trial undermines democratic principles.