By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Nigeria’s Armed Forces foiled a planned coup at the preparatory stage through a coordinated intelligence and monitoring operation, the Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, has revealed.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday night, Musa said the plot was initiated by a “disgruntled” Army colonel who failed to qualify for promotion to the rank of brigadier-general and subsequently attempted to recruit other dissatisfied elements within the military.
The coup rumour first surfaced in October last year but was initially dismissed by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ). However, the DHQ later confirmed that an attempted coup had indeed been uncovered, with investigations indicting 16 officers who are now facing court-martial.
Musa, who was the Chief of Defence Staff at the time the plot was uncovered, explained that the military deliberately refrained from confirming the coup attempt when the rumours emerged in order to allow for a thorough investigation and avoid wrongful arrests.
“Coup allegations are extremely grave. We needed to be careful, gather facts and identify those truly involved, rather than rush to conclusions,” he said.
According to the Defence Minister, investigations revealed that planning for the coup began even before the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu in 2023, dismissing claims that the plot was a reaction to current governance challenges.
“These plans were hatched even before the President took office, once it became clear he had won the election,” Musa stated.
He described the plotters as “a bunch of unserious individuals” who underestimated Nigeria’s democratic system and the cohesion within the Armed Forces. Security agencies, he said, closely monitored the suspects to gather concrete evidence before moving in.
Musa disclosed that he was personally listed as a target by the coup plotters.
“I was also a target. I was to be arrested, and if I resisted, I was to be shot. But that is the nature of the job,” he said.
He confirmed that most of those involved have been arrested, while international agencies, including Interpol, are tracking remaining civilian collaborators. However, he declined to disclose the identity of the indicted colonel.
“The Armed Forces promotion system is strict. He didn’t qualify and decided to exploit others who felt aggrieved. Unfortunately, some young officers were misled and are now facing serious consequences,” he said.
Musa stressed that the investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“This was a holistic and painstaking investigation. We acted strictly on facts, not speculation,” he added.
He maintained that executing a coup in modern-day Nigeria is nearly impossible, citing strong military unity and widespread public resistance to military takeovers.
“You can’t just wake up and attempt a coup in Nigeria today. Even civilians would resist such an attempt. The era of military takeovers is over,” Musa said.
On the welfare of families of the arrested officers, the Defence Minister said the Armed Forces were taking steps to ensure they were not unfairly punished for the actions of their relatives.
“We have briefed their families and are ensuring their welfare is protected,” he said.
Addressing broader security challenges, Musa said insecurity persists due to the complex nature of modern warfare, noting that casualties are inevitable in conflict situations. He also accused some individuals and communities of shielding terrorists and criminals, urging Nigerians to avoid ethnic or regional sentiments when dealing with crime.
He confirmed that Sambisa Forest has been reclaimed by Nigerian troops, explaining that terrorists often flee to neighbouring countries under sustained military pressure.
Musa called on Nigerians to move beyond divisive narratives based on ethnicity and geography, warning that such thinking continues to hinder national progress.
“Every day it is North, South, East and West. It does not help us. Smaller nations are moving forward while we remain divided,” he said.
He defended the Tinubu administration, noting that recent economic reforms were beginning to yield results.
“Things are gradually improving. The naira is stabilising, and new policies are taking effect. Some of the loudest critics are those who benefited from the old system,” he said.
The Defence Minister also revealed that Nigerian troops recently intervened to prevent a coup in the Benin Republic following a direct request from its president.
“With President Tinubu’s approval, we mobilised and secured the situation within 12 hours. Our troops are still there and will be withdrawn gradually,” he said.
On defence cooperation, Musa said Nigeria is shifting focus from arms procurement to local production through partnerships with countries such as Turkey, leveraging the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
“We want co-production, technology transfer, job creation and local capacity building. This approach will strengthen security in Nigeria and across the region,” he said.
On his political future, Musa hinted that he may formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that his transition from military service to politics makes it necessary for him to support the administration that appointed him.
“The confidence reposed in me makes it imperative to give full support to the President,” he said.
