February 02, (THEWILL) — The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has revealed that he was one of the primary targets in a failed coup attempt uncovered last year, disclosing that the plot included specific plans to arrest him and shoot him if he resisted.
Musa, who served as the Chief of Defence Staff during the period in question, made the disclosure on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on February 1, 2026.
He provided a firsthand account of the conspiracy, illustrating how deeply the alleged plot had sought to penetrate the military hierarchy to destabilize the government.
“I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot,” Musa said, highlighting the life-threatening severity of the threat posed by the mutineers.
The investigation into the plot began in October 2025, when the military arrested 16 officers for acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
Subsequent inquiries revealed that some of those detained were linked to a broader plan to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that personnel found culpable are being formally arraigned before a military judicial panel in accordance with the Armed Forces Act.
He emphasized that the military is committed to following due process to ensure total accountability and transparency within the ranks.
Authorities further disclosed that the foiled coup attempt was not limited to internal mutiny; it allegedly involved coordinated plans to assassinate several top government officials and prominent national figures.
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