Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa has said that the military officers arrested over an alleged foiled coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were fully aware of the consequences of their actions and are prepared to face the law.
Speaking on the development, the minister stated that the 16 officers implicated in the plot—including a brigadier general and a colonel—“must have made up their minds” before engaging in what he described as a grave violation of military discipline and a direct threat to national security.
According to him, the Nigerian Armed Forces operate under strict codes of conduct, and any act capable of undermining constitutional order would be treated with utmost seriousness, regardless of the ranks of those involved.
The officers were arrested in October 2025, when the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on October 4 that some personnel were under investigation for “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.” At the time, the DHQ did not disclose the full details surrounding the arrests.
However, on January 26, the DHQ confirmed that the arrests were connected to a foiled plot aimed at overthrowing President Tinubu’s administration, clarifying months of speculation surrounding the earlier announcement.
The defence minister stressed that the matter is being handled strictly within the confines of the law and military justice system, assuring Nigerians that due process will be followed. He added that the military remains loyal to the constitution and the democratically elected government.
The development comes amid renewed assurances from security authorities that Nigeria’s democracy is secure and that the armed forces remain professional, disciplined, and committed to defending the nation against both internal and external threats.