The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has revealed that he was among the senior officials targeted in an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, days after the military confirmed that some of the 16 officers arrested last October would face trial, Musa said the plotters planned to arrest him and kill him if he resisted.
“I was also a target, as you know,” the CDS said. “I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was to be shot.”
Last week, the military announced that investigations had uncovered credible evidence linking some officers to plans to overthrow the government, actions it described as incompatible with the ethics and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
In a statement, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said those found with cases to answer would be formally arraigned before a military judicial panel in line with the Armed Forces Act and other service regulations.
‘Unserious Individuals’
Reports indicate that several top government officials and prominent figures were listed as targets in the alleged coup. The plot has also been linked to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary parade, while the residence of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, was reportedly raided over suspected links to the scheme.
General Musa dismissed the plotters as lacking seriousness, questioning their judgment and capacity to challenge the Nigerian military.
“I think they were a bunch of unserious individuals,” he said. “Considering the calibre of those involved, I don’t know what made them think they could take on the Armed Forces.”
He added that Nigerians themselves would have resisted any attempt to impose military rule, noting the country’s long struggle against such interventions.
“Even Nigerians would have fought them,” Musa said. “Nigerians have opposed military rule for years, and Mr President himself was part of that struggle. For anyone to think they could wake up one morning and attempt this in Nigeria, they need to reset their brains.”
Nigeria experienced several coups between 1966 and 1993 but returned to democratic governance in 1999. The alleged plot comes amid a wave of coups and attempted takeovers across West Africa, including a failed attempt in neighbouring Benin Republic late last year.
