Minister Says He Was Targeted in Foiled Coup Plot

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said that he was among senior officials marked for assassination in the failed coup plots.

Mr Musa, a retired army general, disclosed this on Sunday, stating that intelligence reports showed he was specifically listed by the plotters.

He said the plan was to arrest him and kill him if he resisted, adding that the plot involved coordinated moves against key figures in the political and security establishment, with lethal force authorised where necessary.

“I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot.”

The minister described the coup plot as a serious threat to Nigeria’s constitutional order, noting that it reflected what he called a reckless miscalculation by those involved.

He said the alleged conspirators underestimated both the Nigerian state and the public, stressing that such an action would not have gained popular support. He added that Nigerians had resisted military takeovers in the past and would have done so again.

It was reported that the coup plotters planned to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other top officials, while senior military figures, including Mr Musa, then Chief of Defence Staff, were to be arrested.

Sixteen military officers were arrested in late September 2025 over the plot, although authorities initially described the arrests as relating to indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. The Defence Headquarters later said preliminary findings pointed to grievances linked to stalled careers and failed promotion examinations.

Following the failed plot, President Tinubu reshuffled the military leadership, removing the service chiefs, including Musa. Only Olufemi Oluyede and Emmanuel Undiandeye were retained. Oluyede was elevated to Chief of Defence Staff, while Undiandeye remained Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Musa was later recalled to government and appointed Minister of Defence, replacing Muhammed Badaru, who resigned on health grounds.

On 26 January, the military formally confirmed the existence of the coup plot, announcing that indicted officers would face trial. Investigators have since identified about 40 suspects linked to the conspiracy.

The defence minister further urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively engaged in national affairs, saying the country’s stability depends on collective responsibility.