Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has disclosed that he was one of the prime targets in the recently foiled coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, revealing that the conspirators planned to either arrest him or shoot him if he resisted.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Musa said the plotters had specifically identified him for elimination as part of their plan to overthrow the government.
“I was also a target. I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot,” he revealed.
Despite the chilling threat, the former Chief of Defence Staff said the suspects were largely incompetent and grossly underestimated the strength of Nigeria’s armed forces.
He described them as “a bunch of very unserious individuals”, adding that their attempt showed a complete misunderstanding of Nigeria’s democratic reality.
‘Nigerians themselves would have stopped them’
Musa stressed that even without the military’s intervention, Nigerians would not have tolerated any attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government.
“Even Nigerians would have fought them. People resisted military rule for years. For anyone to think they could just wake up and do this in today’s Nigeria, something went wrong in their thinking,” he said.
Coup plot allegedly driven by disgruntled colonel
According to the Defence Minister, the entire plan was allegedly initiated by a colonel who became bitter after failing to secure promotion.
He said the officer reportedly recruited other disgruntled personnel into the scheme, drawing in younger officers who did not fully understand what they were being used for.
“My pain is for those young officers he dragged into this mess. Now they have to face the consequences,” Musa said.
Most suspects arrested
Musa confirmed that most of those involved have already been apprehended, with only one or two possibly still on the run.
He also revealed that the investigation involved multiple intelligence agencies, including the DIA, DSS and NIA, to ensure only guilty parties were prosecuted.
‘Modern-day coups are impossible’
The Defence Minister insisted that successful coups in Nigeria only happened in the past when top military commanders were involved — a factor completely absent in this case.
“Back then you needed GOCs and service chiefs. These were just low-ranking individuals with no real access. It’s impossible in today’s Nigeria,” he said.
Coup plot reportedly predates Tinubu’s inauguration
Musa added that intelligence showed the conspiracy was already in motion before President Tinubu took office, dismissing claims that it was triggered by dissatisfaction with the current administration.
The revelation comes amid reports linking former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva to ongoing investigations, with security agencies and Interpol said to be tracking him over alleged financial crimes connected to the wider probe.
After earlier denials, the military has now officially confirmed that a plot to topple Tinubu’s government was uncovered, with several officers set to face prosecution.
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