By Aina Shehu
Nigeria’s Armed Forces successfully foiled a planned coup at its formative stage through sustained intelligence monitoring, the Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, has revealed.
Speaking on Channels Television on Monday night, Gen. Musa said the plot was initiated by a disgruntled Colonel who failed to qualify for promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General and subsequently attempted to recruit other dissatisfied officers.
Although rumours of a coup attempt surfaced in October last year, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) initially dismissed the claims. However, last month, the military confirmed that a coup plot did exist, disclosing that investigations had indicted 16 officers who are now facing court-martial.
Gen. Musa, who was the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) when the plot was uncovered, explained that the military deliberately avoided confirming the coup rumours early in order to conduct a thorough investigation and prevent the wrongful arrest of innocent officers.
“Coup allegations are extremely serious. We needed facts, not speculation. It was important to first understand how it was planned and who masterminded it,” he said.
Describing the plotters as “a bunch of unserious individuals,” Musa said they grossly underestimated Nigeria’s democratic maturity and the cohesion within the Armed Forces. He disclosed that security agencies closely monitored the suspects for months to gather concrete evidence.
According to him, investigations revealed that the coup planning began even before the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu in 2023, dismissing claims that the plot was a reaction to current governance.
“These plans were hatched once it was clear the President had won the election, even before he took office,” Musa said, adding that the plot was potentially bloody but was dismantled before execution.
He further revealed that he was personally listed as a target by the coupists.
“I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was to be shot. But that is the nature of the job,” he said.
Most of the suspects have been arrested, while international agencies, including Interpol, are tracking remaining civilian collaborators. Musa declined to disclose the identity of the Colonel at the centre of the plot.
He stressed that the military promotion system is strict and merit-based, noting that the failure of the alleged mastermind to meet promotion requirements triggered his actions.
“Unfortunately, some young officers were misled and now face serious consequences,” he said.
Musa said the investigation involved the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Department of State Services (DSS), and other security bodies, describing the process as holistic and painstaking.
He maintained that executing a coup in modern-day Nigeria is nearly impossible, stressing that both the military and civilians are firmly committed to democracy.
“You can’t just wake up and attempt a coup in Nigeria today. Even Nigerians would resist it. The era of military takeovers is over,” he said.
The Defence Minister also assured that the families of arrested officers would not be punished for the actions of their relatives, noting that measures had been taken to protect their welfare.
Addressing insecurity, Musa said some communities still shield criminals and terrorists, urging Nigerians to avoid ethnic or regional sentiments when dealing with criminality. He confirmed that Sambisa Forest has been reclaimed, noting that terrorists now flee to neighbouring countries under military pressure.
He called for an end to divisive narratives rooted in ethnicity and geography, warning that such thinking continues to hinder national progress.
Gen. Musa defended the Tinubu administration, saying bold policy decisions were beginning to yield results, including improvements in the foreign exchange market.
He also disclosed that Nigerian troops recently intervened to prevent a coup in the Benin Republic following a direct request from its president, adding that Nigerian forces are being withdrawn gradually.
On defence cooperation, Musa said Nigeria is shifting focus from arms procurement to local production through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), in partnership with countries such as Turkey.
“This approach will build capacity, create jobs, save foreign exchange and strengthen security across Africa,” he said, reaffirming the Armed Forces’ loyalty to the Constitution and their resolve to defend Nigeria’s democracy at all costs.
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On a political affiliation, the Defence Minister indicated he might formally join the All Progressive Congress { APC }, noting that he was transitioning from a military career into politics.
He added that the confidence reposed in him through his appointment as minister shortly after his retirement made it imperative for him to give full support to the President.