Brig Gen. Musa Sadiq: The mastermind behind failed coup against President Tinubu

Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, 52 years old, a senior officer of the Nigerian Army, has become the central figure in one of Nigeria’s most high‑profile military security investigations, the alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.

Sadiq was born on 3 January 1974 in Nasarawa State.

He attended the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a cadet of the 44th Regular Course from August 1992 to September 1997, where he completed basic military training and was commissioned into the Infantry Corps, the backbone of the Army’s ground forces.

Over his nearly three‑decade career, Sadiq has held key appointments across the Nigerian Army. Before the controversies that now surround him, he served as:

Garrison Commander, 81 Division – Dodan Barracks, Lagos, responsible for overseeing security operations and installations in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Commander, 3 Brigade – Kano, a major operational command in northern Nigeria, responsible for troop deployments, logistics, and civil‑military engagements.

Allegations of Misconduct, Pending Investigation

While serving as Commander of the 3 Brigade, Sadiq was reportedly the subject of an internal inquiry into administrative discrepancies and alleged misconduct. Multiple credible sources indicate that the Nigerian Army’s leadership raised concerns about his handling of military resources and welfare provisions.

Among the allegations are:

Diversion of rice palliatives allocated by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) for distribution to soldiers under his command. Investigators allege that Sadiq distributed only a small portion of the rice to servicemen and did not account for the remaining supplies.

Unauthorised disposal and sale of military equipment, including generator sets and operational vehicles, to scrap dealers, removing functional assets from Army inventory.

Reports also suggested that a MIKANO heavy‑duty generator from the Military Training Camp in Falgore, Kano was sold under unclear circumstances, raising questions about the stewardship of Army property.

As a consequence of the pending inquiry, Sadiq was relieved of his command of the 3 Brigade. In his place, the Nigerian Army appointed Brigadier General A.M. Tukur, a former Registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy, to assume command.

Reports state that Sadiq was detained in a Military Police facility in Abuja as part of the ongoing investigation, which the Army says aims to preserve objectivity and discipline.

Connection to the Alleged Coup Plot

In January 2026, Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq’s name re‑emerged as part of a separate and more politically charged investigation, the alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu. Nigerian Defence Headquarters confirmed that 16 senior officers had been indicted by a Special Investigative Panel in connection with the matter. Among the officers indicted, Gen Sadiq is the most senior in rank.

Although the details of the evidence and specific accusations have not been made public, the panel’s findings reportedly showed that the officers had cases to answer. The Defence Headquarters has indicated that the matter will proceed under established military law and could result in a court‑martial.

Military authorities have described the process as disciplinary and necessary to preserve internal cohesion, operational effectiveness, and professionalism within the Armed Forces.

Army’s Official Position

In a statement confirming Sadiq’s investigation, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, emphasised that the Nigerian Army remains a self‑regulating institution built on discipline, justice, and accountability.

Major General Nwachukwu said the Army has a zero‑tolerance policy for indiscipline and will not condone actions that undermine its values. He assured the public that the investigation will be thorough, fair, and impartial, and that appropriate action would follow established procedures.