Nigeria Arrests Military Officers for Plotting Coup

The Nigerian government said Friday that it has arrested a group of military officers for plotting against Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who seized power in a barracks coup four months ago.

Officials gave neither the number nor identities of those arrested since Wednesday but said they were from all ranks in all services. The defense minister, Maj. Gen. Domkat Bali, said the officers opposed policies adopted by the regime to deal with the economic crisis brought on by falling world oil prices.

He said those arrested had been planning a coup but had not attempted one.

“There are some military people who are disgruntled . . . and are in fact thinking of the possibility of a coup, but no attempt has been made,” Bali said in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corp. “They were just, for instance, campaigning against the regime, if you see what I mean.”

The information minister, Lt. Col. Anthony Ukpo, said on the state radio: “It is strictly now a military problem--if you like, a breach of security. If they are found guilty of any offenses, they will be tried under military law.”