Navy officer calls Tinubu scared after cancelled Independence Day parade
Navy lieutenant commander Bayawo Abdullahi from Kogi State admitted sending a WhatsApp message to alleged coup leader Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji calling President Bola Tinubu scared after the October 1 Independence Day parade was cancelled. He said the message amounted to misconduct and accepted responsibility for threatening national security.
The admission came as part of the trial over a coup plot uncovered in September 2025 that led to the arrest of about 40 people, including senior officers across the armed forces, a police officer, and civilians. Six civilians and former military officers are being charged in a civil court, while serving officers like Abdullahi face General Court-Martial. The Defence Headquarters said the parade was cancelled so the president could attend a strategic bilateral meeting abroad, though its timing coincided with Ma’aji’s arrest.
Abdullahi explained his remark reflected Tinubu’s history of missing the parade and that he did not know the cancelled event was meant to be an execution date for the plot. He cited personal grievances over promotion delays since 2018 and urged the government to address military welfare, high education costs in military schools, economic hardship, and affordable housing for officers. As of July 2026, his trial continues. With military grievances over promotions and welfare persisting, what reforms should the government prioritize to prevent future unrest?