Reports that the Nigerian military government has foiled an attempted coup have been scorned by opposition groups.

The Government says several senior officers have been arrested, including Lieutenant General Oladipo Diya, deputy to the military leader, General Sani Abacha.

But pro-democracy campaigners in Nigeria have called for proof of the allegations, made in Lagos, and claimed any charges should be heard before an open court rather than a military tribunal.

The chairman of the National Democratic Coalition, Abraham Adesanya, said he suspected the aim of the reported coup attempt was to create a climate of confusion in which General Abacha could perpetuate his rule and stand as a civilian "law and order" candidate in elections planned for next year.

General Abacha may run in next year's elections

Lt Gen Diya is from one of Nigeria's three biggest tribes, the Christian Yoruba, who come from the south-west of the country. They are traditionally opposed to the military regime, which is dominated by a northern Muslim clique.

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has been ruled by the military for all but 10 years since it gained independence from Britain in 1960.

General Abacha has promised to return Nigeria to civilian rule in October next year, but his plan for doing so has attracted criticism inside and outside the country.

Opponents of the regime say they have been prevented from registering their political parties.

The military thwarted another attempt at reintroducing democracy in 1993 when it pulled the plug on Chief Moshood Abiola, the leader of one of two political parties manufactured by the military, when he claimed victory in elections.

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