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Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s minister of defence, says military officers arrested over the foiled coup “must have made up their minds” about the consequences.
The 16 implicated officers, including a brigadier general and colonel, were arrested in October 2025, with the defence headquarters (DHQ) issuing a public statement on October 4 initially citing “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations”.
On January 26, the DHQ finally confirmed that there was a plot to oust President Bola Tinubu.
The plot, which the military said was uncovered in late September 2025 through joint intelligence from the army, Department of State Services (DSS), and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), allegedly involved plans to assassinate Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other top government figures, as well as arrest senior military leaders.
Speaking during an appearance on TRT World, a Turkish broadcaster, Musa said the accused persons would receive a fair trial, with access to legal counsel of their choice.
He said families of the alleged coup plotters would be looked after by the government.
“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 treated fairly.
“Their family members are not left alone. The government is making sure that their wives and children are looked after.
“The perpetrators already know the repercussion of their action, and I’m sure they are ready to face the wrath.”
