Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has disclosed that he was among the key targets in a recently uncovered coup plot, revealing that the masterminds allegedly planned to shoot him if he resisted arrest.
General Musa, who is the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), made the revelation during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
“I was also a target; I am sure you know. I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot,” he said.
His comments come days after the military confirmed that about sixteen officers arrested in October would face trial over allegations linked to an attempt to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In October, the Armed Forces initially announced the arrest of sixteen officers for “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.” However, subsequent investigations reportedly uncovered more serious allegations.
According to the military authorities, findings from the probe indicated that some of the officers were allegedly involved in plotting to overthrow the government. Actions described as inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards expected of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that those implicated would be prosecuted in line with military laws.
“Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations,” Uba stated.
