Defence Minister Christopher Musa says that officers involved in a foiled coup plot were aware of the potential consequences, including the possibility of the death penalty.
Musa also reportedly assured that the government would support the families of the arrested officers and that the accused would receive a fair trial.
Musa said this when he appeared on TRT World, a Turkish broadcaster, stating that the accused persons would receive a fair trial, with access to legal counsel of their choice.
According to him, families of the alleged coup plotters would be looked after by the government.
“They must have made up their minds when they decided to do this and must have considered their families.
“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,” he said.
JomogNews recalls that the 16 implicated officers, including a Brigadier-General and Colonel, were arrested in October 2025 by the defence headquarters, DHQ.
The DHQ, on January 26, finally confirmed that there was a plot to oust President Bola Tinubu.
According to the military, the plot uncovered in late September 2025 through joint intelligence from the army, Department of State Services, DSS, and Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, allegedly involved plans to assassinate Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other top government figures, as well as arrest senior military leaders.
