The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said that military officers arrested over the alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu must have been prepared for the consequences of their actions, while assuring that they will be given a fair trial.
Musa stated this during an interview with Turkish news network, TRT World, where he also disclosed that the Federal Government is making arrangements to support the families of the accused officers.
Sixteen officers, including a brigadier general and a colonel, were arrested in October 2025. At the time, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said their detention was due to acts of indiscipline and violations of service regulations.
However, on January 26, the DHQ confirmed that the officers were linked to a foiled coup plot aimed at overthrowing President Tinubu’s administration.
According to the military, the alleged conspiracy was uncovered in late September 2025 through joint intelligence operations involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
The plot was said to include plans to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other senior government officials, as well as to detain top military leaders.
Musa assured that the accused officers would be treated in line with the law and allowed access to legal representation of their choice throughout the judicial process.
“They must have made up their minds when they decided to do this and must have considered their families,” he said.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the defence minister emphasised that due process would be followed.
“But even at that, the government is ensuring that their families are treated fairly,” Musa added. “Their family members are not left alone. The government is making sure that their wives and children are looked after.”
He further stressed that the officers were fully aware of the implications of their actions.
“The perpetrators already know the repercussions of their action, and I’m sure they are ready to face the wrath,” Musa said.