Nigeria’s military says an internal investigation has uncovered evidence that some of the 16 officers arrested in October were involved in plotting a coup.

In a statement, the armed forces said those found culpable would face military justice, adding that the death penalty could apply if the allegations are proven.

The arrests came amid a sweeping shake-up of Nigeria’s security leadership, after President Bola Tinubu replaced the country’s service chiefs in October in a bid to strengthen the state’s response to worsening insecurity.

Nigeria is grappling with multiple armed threats, including a long-running insurgency in the northeast, widespread banditry in the northwest and separatist violence in parts of the southeast. Analysts say the scale and persistence of these challenges have heightened concerns within the military about internal discipline and loyalty, making cohesion within the ranks an increasingly urgent priority.

–ChannelAfrica–