How ‘We Foiled the Coup at Planning Stage’ — Gen. Musa

The Defence Minister, Gen. Christopher Musa, has disclosed how the Armed Forces uncovered and dismantled a planned coup before it could be executed, saying a coordinated intelligence effort across security agencies exposed the plot at an early stage.

Speaking on Channels Television, Musa said the scheme was initiated by a colonel who failed his promotion examination to the rank of brigadier-general and allegedly recruited other disaffected officers.

Rumours of a coup surfaced in October last year, but the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) denied it at the time. Last month, however, the DHQ confirmed that an attempted coup had been uncovered and that 16 officers would face court-martial following investigations.

Musa, who was Chief of Defence Staff when the plot was detected, explained that the military avoided confirming the reports earlier to allow investigators identify those involved and prevent wrongful arrests.

He described the suspects as individuals who underestimated Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the cohesion within the Armed Forces. According to him, security services monitored the group closely to gather evidence before moving in.

Investigations showed that planning began before the Tinubu administration took office in 2023. Musa rejected suggestions that the plot was linked to current governance, saying it was conceived once it became clear who had won the presidential election.

He said he was listed among those the plotters intended to arrest or kill if the plan succeeded.

“I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, to be shot,” Musa said.

He declined to name the colonel at the centre of the case but noted that the officer’s failure to meet promotion requirements was a key factor. Some younger officers, he added, were misled and now face serious consequences.

The investigation involved the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Department of State Services (DSS) and other agencies. Musa said the process was deliberate because of the gravity of coup allegations.

He maintained that executing a coup in present-day Nigeria would be extremely difficult due to military unity and public resistance to unconstitutional rule.

On the families of the accused officers, Musa said measures were in place to ensure they were not unfairly affected by the legal process.

The Defence Minister also said the incident prompted a review of presidential security arrangements to address identified vulnerabilities.

Addressing broader security concerns, Musa said some communities continue to shield criminal elements and urged Nigerians to avoid ethnic or regional interpretations of security issues.

He confirmed that Sambisa Forest has been reclaimed by troops, noting that insurgents often move across borders when under pressure.

Musa said Nigeria should move beyond divisive narratives and focus on national development, adding that only a small number of individuals project negative images of the country internationally.

On regional developments, he said Nigerian forces intervened in December to prevent a coup in the Benin Republic following a request from its president and approval from President Bola Tinubu. Nigerian troops, he said, are still in the country and are being withdrawn gradually.

He said the operation highlighted Nigeria’s capacity to contribute to regional stability and underscored plans to strengthen domestic defence production through partnerships, including with Turkey.

According to him, the focus is shifting from equipment purchases to joint production through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), covering training, maintenance, spare parts supply and military education.

Musa also indicated that he may formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC) as he transitions from a military career into politics, saying his appointment as minister places an obligation on him to support the President’s agenda.