The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has provided assurances that the Federal Government will maintain a commitment to fairness regarding the families of military officers implicated in the alleged conspiracy to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a recent conversation with the Turkish broadcaster TRT World, General Musa clarified that while the accused personnel will undergo a formal military court-martial, the government is not ignoring the welfare of their dependents.
Addressing the personal risks the officers took, the minister noted, “Everybody knows the repercussions when you take such actions, so I am sure they have made up their minds. They must have considered their families, but the truth is that even at the top levels of the armed forces, the government is ensuring that their families are treated fairly.”
He emphasized that the legal proceedings will be transparent and adhere strictly to military statutes, allowing the suspects to secure independent legal representation.
“The announcement just came out, so they are going to face court-martial as usual. The court-martial will be free and fair; they will be allowed to get their own counsels to defend them,” Musa stated.
Beyond the legalities, the minister underscored that the state would not abandon the families of the indicted officers, asserting, “The family members are not left alone. The government is also making sure that at least they are taken care of. The wives and children need to be looked after.”
This development marks a significant shift in the official narrative. In October 2025, the military originally dismissed reports of the arrests, with former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, claiming at the time that such news was meant “to create tension and distrust among Nigerians.”
He had insisted that the situation was “strictly a disciplinary issue handled internally” and that the probe was merely “a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism are maintained within the ranks.”
However, on Monday, February 2, 2026, the new Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that a full investigation has now been concluded.
He revealed that several officers have been found to have cases to answer regarding the plot to overthrow the government.
The final report has been submitted to the relevant authorities, and the suspects are expected to appear before a military tribunal shortly.
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