Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has disclosed that he was among the individuals marked for arrest and possible assassination in an alleged coup plot uncovered by the military.
Speaking on Sunday Politics, the former Chief of Defence Staff said the plotters planned to arrest him and shoot him if he resisted. His remarks come days after the Armed Forces announced that some of the 16 officers detained in October would face trial over an alleged attempt to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The military initially stated that the officers were arrested for acts of indiscipline and violations of service regulations. However, subsequent investigations revealed that some of them were allegedly involved in plans to destabilise the government.
In a statement, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Samaila Uba, said findings showed that certain officers were linked to a plot to overthrow the government, an action he described as incompatible with the ethics and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He added that those found culpable would be arraigned before a military judicial panel in line with the Armed Forces Act and relevant service regulations.
Reports indicate that several senior government officials and notable personalities were listed as targets in the alleged plot. The development has also been linked to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary parade. Additionally, the residence of former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, was reportedly searched in connection with the investigation.
Reacting to the revelations, Musa dismissed those involved as lacking seriousness, questioning how they believed they could challenge the Nigerian Armed Forces. He further stated that Nigerians would have resisted any attempt to return the country to military rule, noting that the nation has a long history of opposing military governance.
Nigeria endured multiple military coups between 1966 and 1993 before transitioning to democratic rule in 1999. The alleged plot emerges against the backdrop of recent coups and attempted takeovers in parts of West Africa, including a reported failed coup attempt in neighbouring Benin Republic late last year.
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