Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said that military officers arrested over the foiled coup attempt were fully aware of the grave consequences of their actions, including the possibility of facing the death penalty.
Sixteen military officers, among them a brigadier general and a colonel, were arrested in October 2025 for acts described by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) as indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
The arrests followed intelligence reports pointing to a plot to violently overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.
On January 26, the DHQ officially confirmed the existence of the coup plot, revealing that it was uncovered in late September 2025 through joint intelligence operations involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
According to the military, the alleged plan included attempts to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other top government officials, as well as the arrest of senior military leaders.
Speaking during an interview on TRT World, a Turkish broadcaster, Musa said the accused officers would be granted a fair trial and allowed access to legal counsel of their choice.
“They must have made up their minds when they decided to do this and must have considered their families,” Musa said. “The perpetrators already know the repercussion of their action, and I’m sure they are ready to face the wrath.”
He added that despite the seriousness of the allegations, the federal government was committed to ensuring the welfare of the families of the accused officers.
“Their family members are not left alone. The government is making sure that their wives and children are looked after,” the defence minister said.
Musa reiterated the military’s commitment to upholding discipline, constitutional order, and democratic governance in Nigeria.
