Government Will Look After Families Of Suspected Coupists — Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has assured that the Federal Government will ensure the families of military officers indicted in the alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu government were treated fairly and not abandoned.

In an interview with a Turkish TV station, TRT World, Gen.
Musa said while the accused officers will face due process through a military court-martial, the government remained mindful of the welfare of their dependents.

“Everybody knows the repercussions when you take such actions, so I am sure they have made up their minds,” the minister said. “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 explained that the officers linked to the plot will undergo court-martial proceedings as provided by military law and will be given the opportunity to defend themselves.

“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.

The minister added that the welfare of the officers’ families remains a priority for the government.

“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,” he said.

His comments followed the Defence Headquarters’ recent confirmation that 16 military officers and other civilians have been arrested in connection with an attempted coup against the administration of President Tinubu, this was after the military had denied same in October 2025 after reports emerged that the military had arrested the officers.

Reacting at the time, the former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said the publication was intended to create tension and distrust among Nigerians, adding that the matter was strictly a disciplinary issue handled internally.

“The ongoing investigation involving the sixteen officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism are maintained within the ranks. An investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings will be made public,” the statement said.

But, providing an update on Monday, the new Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said a comprehensive investigation had been conducted in line with established military procedures.

He said the findings showed that some of the officers had cases to answer over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government and that the investigation report had now been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.

Barring any change, the suspects are expected to face trial before a military tribunal in the coming days.