Foiled Coup: Defence Minister says plotters planned his arrest, assassination

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has disclosed that he was marked for arrest and possible assassination in a recently foiled coup attempt against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking during a televised interview, the Defence Minister said intelligence reports revealed that the alleged coup plotters planned to detain him and shoot him if he resisted arrest. He described the plot as poorly conceived and driven by a small group of disgruntled officers who underestimated Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the resolve of the armed forces.

READ ALSO: DHQ confirms arrest of 16 officers over alleged coup plot, sets up Court-Martial

According to Musa, the failed coup attempt was uncovered through coordinated intelligence operations involving the military and other security agencies, leading to the arrest of several officers believed to be involved in the plot.

The Defence Minister confirmed that 16 military officers, ranging from junior to senior ranks, have been detained and are expected to face trial under military law. He noted that investigations showed the plot had been in the works before President Tinubu assumed office, and was motivated by personal grievances rather than national interest.

Musa stressed that Nigeria has moved beyond the era of military takeovers, saying the country’s democracy enjoys widespread public support and that citizens would have resisted any attempt to overthrow an elected government.

READ ALSO: DHQ confirms coup plot against Tinubu, says suspects to face military trial

“The officers involved knew the consequences of their actions,” he said, adding that due process would be followed in handling the case in line with the Armed Forces Act.

Meanwhile, rights groups have called for transparency and fairness in the trial process, urging authorities to ensure that the accused officers are granted a fair hearing.

Security agencies say investigations are ongoing, while the military has reaffirmed its loyalty to the Constitution and commitment to protecting Nigeria’s democratic order.

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