The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd), has declared that military officers arrested over the recently uncovered coup plot were fully aware of the consequences of their actions and are prepared to face the outcome.
Speaking during an interview on TRT World, a Turkish international broadcaster, Musa maintained that due process would be followed, stressing that the accused officers would be granted a fair trial and unhindered access to legal representation of their choice.
He also assured that the Federal Government had taken responsibility for the welfare of the families of the alleged coup plotters, insisting that wives and children of the suspects would not be subjected to neglect or undue hardship.
“They must have made up their minds when they decided to do this and must have considered their families,” the Defence Minister said. “Even at that, the government is ensuring that their families are treated fairly. Their family members are not left alone.”
Musa emphasised that while the alleged actions amounted to a grave breach of military and constitutional order, the government remained committed to upholding humane and professional standards in handling the matter.
“The perpetrators already know the repercussion of their action, and I am sure they are ready to face the wrath,” he added.
Recall that 16 military officers, including a Brigadier-General and a Colonel, were arrested by the Defence Headquarters in October 2025 in connection with the failed coup attempt.
The military authorities had, on January 26, formally confirmed the existence of a plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the plot, uncovered in late September 2025 through coordinated intelligence operations involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services and the Defence Intelligence Agency, allegedly included plans to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other top government officials, as well as to detain senior military commanders.
