Nigeria's Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has revealed that he was personally targeted in a recently foiled coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu's government.
In an interview on Channels Television's Sunday Politics programme, the former Chief of Defence Staff disclosed that coup plotters planned to arrest him and shoot him if he resisted.
"I was also a target, I am sure you know," Musa stated. "I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot."
The revelations come shortly after the Nigerian military announced last week that 16 officers arrested in October 2025 would face trial for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
Initially detained for acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations, further investigations revealed their involvement in the coup scheme, which was described as inconsistent with the ethics and standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
According to military spokesperson Major General Samaila Uba, those implicated will be arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel under the Armed Forces Act.
Reports indicate the plot, which was reportedly nipped in the bud at the planning stage through intelligence and joint monitoring efforts, involved plans to assassinate several top government officials and prominent leaders, in addition to detaining key military figures.
General Musa emphasized that such attempts are futile in today's Nigeria, noting that citizens would strongly resist any coup.
He also clarified in related statements that the plot originated from disgruntled elements, with some sources suggesting it began as early as 2023, shortly after President Tinubu's election victory.
The Defence Minister described the plotters as "unserious" but acknowledged the real risks involved, adding that anyone engaging in such actions must be prepared for the consequences.
The foiled attempt has renewed discussions on military discipline and loyalty within Nigeria's armed forces.
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