Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, disclosed that he was one of the senior officials reportedly targeted for elimination in the uncovered plot. In an appearance on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, General Musa explained that the conspirators intended to arrest him and use lethal force if he resisted. His remarks followed the Armed Forces’ confirmation that some of the 16 officers arrested in October 2025 would face prosecution for allegedly attempting to destabilize the Tinubu administration. “I was also a target,” General Musa stated. “I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot.”
In October 2025, the military had announced the detention of 16 officers for acts of indiscipline and violations of service regulations. However, by January 2026, further investigations revealed evidence linking several of these officers to a plot aimed at undermining the government. Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, said the findings indicated that some suspects had engaged in conduct “inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.” He added that those with credible cases to answer would be formally arraigned before a military judicial panel in line with the Armed Forces Act and relevant service regulations.
The alleged plot reportedly extended beyond the military, with multiple senior government officials and prominent Nigerians named as potential targets. Some analysts have linked the attempted coup to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary parade. Additionally, the residence of former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva was reportedly raided over alleged involvement, though no official charges have been confirmed.
Among the 35 military officers detained are personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, including a Brigadier General, two Colonels, five Lieutenant Colonels, one Wing Commander, eight Majors, one Lieutenant Commander, two Squadron Leaders, five Captains, and a Lieutenant. Ten non-commissioned officers are also in custody, including a Warrant Officer, five Sergeants, a Corporal, and two Lance Corporals. Most of the officers, 33 in total, hail from northern Nigeria, including three from the Federal Capital Territory. Individual officers come from states such as Nasarawa, Niger, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Kano, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Taraba, Yobe, Kogi, Sokoto, and Adamawa, with a few from Osun and Bayelsa.
Earlier reports by SaharaReporters indicated that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Nigeria’s primary military intelligence body responsible for countering security threats and supporting military operations, coordinated the arrests after weeks of covert surveillance. Initially, Defence Headquarters dismissed claims linking the arrests to a coup plot.
Concerns have emerged over the treatment of the detained officers. Reports indicate that at least five have fallen ill while in custody, with two collapsing due to deteriorating conditions. Allegedly, the officers were moved from an initial DIA facility to an underground cell in Abuja described as dark and poorly ventilated. Families have expressed worries over prolonged incommunicado detention, restricted access to legal counsel, and lack of communication regarding transfers between facilities, with spouses barred from visiting since the arrests.