Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has publicly confirmed that he was among the principal targets of a foiled coup plot aimed at overthrowing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, officials and sources say. Musa’s remarks came during a televised interview on Sunday, as the military prepares to put on trial several officers arrested last year in connection with the alleged conspiracy.
In an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Musa, who formerly served as Chief of Defence Staff, said intelligence uncovered during investigations showed he was intended to be arrested by the conspirators and, if he resisted, was to be shot. “I was also a target … I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot,” the defence minister said in the interview broadcast on February 1, 2026.
Musa characterised the alleged plotters as “unserious individuals” whose plan lacked the competence required to successfully confront the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He said that Nigerians would have resisted any attempt to disrupt constitutional order, noting the country’s strong historical opposition to military rule.
The comments followed confirmation by the Nigerian military in late January that a group of 16 officers arrested in October 2025 would soon be arraigned before a military judicial panel. Authorities initially described the detentions as disciplinary actions related to breaches of service regulations, but subsequent statements indicated that further investigation linked some officers to an effort to “overthrow the government” — a charge inconsistent with the military’s professional standards. Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, said those with cases to answer would be tried according to the Armed Forces Act and relevant service regulations.
The alleged plot, first widely reported by local media in October 2025 and discussed in subsequent official and independent reporting, reportedly involved plans to target senior government figures. Intelligence sources cited by Premium Times indicated that attempts included marking for arrest or assassination key officials such as President Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
Nigeria’s Armed Forces have faced scrutiny over the alleged plot, which raised concerns about security within the ranks and the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions. The military initially maintained that the officers’ arrest protocol was part of internal disciplinary measures, with Defence Headquarters describing early media claims of a coup attempt as unsubstantiated or misleading. An investigative panel was set up at the time to examine the conduct of the detained officers.
Legal and human rights advocates have urged transparency and due process as the judicial proceedings approach. Senior Nigerian lawyer Femi Falana has publicly called for the officers to be formally arraigned before a court-martial if evidence exists, noting that families and lawyers have reported restricted access to the detained personnel.
Observers say the disclosure by Musa comes at a sensitive time for Nigeria’s democracy, which has been navigating economic challenges and heightened political tensions. The spectre of a coup attempt — whether real or exaggerated by rival factions — has stirred debate about civil-military relations, the integrity of command structures and the robustness of democratic processes in Africa’s most populous country.
Analysts note that Nigeria’s history includes multiple military takeovers in the 20th century, but the country returned to continuous civilian rule in 1999. Recent security developments in neighbouring West African states, where coups have occurred with increasing frequency, have heightened regional anxieties about the stability of democratic governance.
Musa’s public statements reaffirm the government’s view that the attempted coup was a serious breach of national security and that its failure reflects the strength of Nigeria’s constitutional order. At the same time, human rights groups and legal practitioners continue to call for strict adherence to fair trial guarantees for the officers implicated, ensuring that proceedings are conducted transparently and in accordance with both military and international legal standards.
As the story evolves, Nigeria’s judiciary and military justice system will play central roles in determining the outcome of the case and shaping public perception of the government’s handling of the alleged coup attempt. The trials are expected to begin in the coming weeks, and will be closely watched by political stakeholders and civil society organisations within Nigeria and beyond.
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