Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said that military officers arrested over the foiled coup attempt were fully aware of the consequences of their actions.
A total of 16 officers, including a brigadier general and a colonel, were arrested in October 2025. At the time, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) issued a statement on October 4, citing “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations” as the reason for the arrests.
However, on January 26, the DHQ confirmed that the officers were involved in a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
According to the military, the plot was uncovered in late September 2025 through joint intelligence efforts involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). The alleged plan included the assassination of President Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other top government officials, as well as the arrest of senior military commanders.
Speaking during an interview on TRT World, a Turkish broadcaster, Musa assured that the accused officers would be given a fair trial and allowed access to legal counsel of their choice.
He also said the federal government would ensure that the families of the alleged coup plotters were treated fairly.
“They must have made up their minds when they decided to do this and must have considered their families,” Musa said.
“But even at that, the government is ensuring that their families are not abandoned. Their wives and children will be looked after.”
Musa added that the accused officers were fully aware of the repercussions of their actions and were prepared to face the consequences.
