Nigeria’s minister of defence, Christopher Musa, has said the military officers arrested over the failed coup attempt “must have made up their minds” about the consequences of their actions.
Sixteen officers, including a brigadier general and a colonel, were taken into custody in October 2025, after the defence headquarters (DHQ) released a statement on October 4 citing “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations”.
On January 26, the DHQ confirmed that the arrests were linked to a plot to remove President Bola Tinubu from office.
According to the military, the alleged plot was uncovered in late September 2025 through coordinated intelligence involving the army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). The plan reportedly included moves to assassinate Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other senior government officials, as well as detain top military commanders.
Speaking on TRT World, a Turkish television network, Musa said the accused officers would be given a fair trial and allowed to choose their own legal representatives.
He added that the federal government would also ensure the welfare of the families of the alleged coup plotters.
“They must have made up their minds when they decided to do this and must have considered their families,” Musa said.
“But even at that, the government is ensuring that their families are treated fairly.
“Their family members are not left alone. The government is making sure that their wives and children are looked after.
“The perpetrators already know the repercussion of their action, and I’m sure they are ready to face the wrath.”