Coup plot: I was a target, to be arrested, shot — Gen Musa
Nigeria’s Defence Minister General Christopher Musa, said he was a target of the coup plot for which several military officers and notable individuals have now been arrested and awaiting trial.
General Musa who spoke on a discourse program on Channels Television on Sunday, said he was to be arrested and shot on refusal, based on the planned coup.
The disclosure is coming days after the Nigerian military stated that some of the officers arrested in October 2025 in relation to the coup plot would now have to face trial.
Speaking during the program, the Defence Minister said: “I was also a target, I am sure you know. I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot.”
Musa classified the orchestrators as “unserious individuals, stating that Nigerians would have risen up against them had they succeeded in their conspiracy.
“I think these guys were a bunch of unserious individuals. If you look at the calibre of persons. I don’t know what got into their heads to think they can take on the Armed Forces like that.
“Even Nigerians would have fought them. Remember, Nigerians have fought against military rule for quite some time. Mr President has been one of them. So, for them to wake up one morning and think they can do that in Nigeria, I think they need to reset their brain.”
Recall that the Nigerian Defence Headquarters had in October 2025 announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
There were also rumours and reports of secret meetings held by the said officers to topple the government, flying across the new media space at the time.
The DHQ however dispelled the rumours, stating that the arrest of the officers was consistent with routine internal processes of the army, aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism within the ranks.
The new Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, giving an update on Monday January 26 regarding the investigation, disclosed that a comprehensive investigation had been conducted, adding that some officers would have to stand trial over coup allegations.
The statement read in part: “The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.
“The findings have identified a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the AFN.”
The statement said that those indicted would be arraigned before military judicial panels, noting that the measures being taken were disciplinary in nature, to preserve order and operational effectiveness.
“Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations. This ensures accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process,” it said.
The West African sub-region has witnessed several military coup in recent years, with a failed coup attempt in Benin Republic towards the close of 2025. Former democratic nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea-Bissau are now under military rule.
Nigeria has experienced several military coups since its independence in 1960. Since 1999 however, the country has been under democratic governance with periodic elections.
The recent coup plot was an attempt to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.
According to reports, President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, were among other high ranking members of the administration targeted for assassination in the power seizure conspiracy.
