News
Coup Attempt: I Was A Target, Supposed To Be Shot — Gen Musa
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, says he was one of the targets of a coup plot and was meant to be shot by the orchestrators.
General Musa spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, days after the military said some of the sixteen officers arrested last October will face trial over an attempt to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
“I was also a target, I am sure you know,” the minister, who is the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), said on the show.
“I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot,” the Kaduna-born disclosed.
Military to Try Officers
In October, the military arrested “sixteen officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations”.
But last week, authorities said “findings have identified a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards required of members of the AFN.”
“Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations,” the Director, Major General, Samaila Uba, said in a statement.
‘Unserious People’
Several top government officials and other prominent leaders were allegedly pencilled to be killed in the coup attempt.
Reports have linked the attempted coup to the cancellation of the 65th Independence Anniversary parade.
Ex-Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva’s house was raided over an alleged link to a coup plot.
According to General Musa, those involved in the coup plot were “unserious individuals”.
“I think these guys were a bunch of unserious individuals. If you look at the calibre of persons [involved in the attempted coup], I don’t know what got into their heads to think they can take on the Armed Forces like that,” the minister said.
The minister said Nigerians would have fought against the coup plotters as they have done in the past.
“What I even said is that even Nigerians would have fought them. Remember, Nigerians have fought against military rule for quite some time. Mr President has been one of them, so for them to wake up one morning and think they can do that in Nigeria, I think they need to reset their brain,” he said.
Nigeria has had a history of coups, especially between 1966 and 1993. But the country returned to democracy in 1999 and has since been in a democratic setting.
The coup attempt came in the wake of a series of military takeovers and attempted coups in West Africa. There was a coup attempt in neighbouring Benin Republic late last year.
The Federal Government has expressed serious concern over the rising cases of Nigerian citizens being illegally recruited to participate in foreign armed conflicts, warning that such activities pose grave risks to lives and violate both national and international laws.
This was made known in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who disclosed that the recent media investigations and security reports revealed that several Nigerians were allegedly recruited under false pretences, including promises of lucrative employment, security jobs, educational opportunities, or migration incentives.
Many of the victims were reportedly deployed to active combat zones after being misled or coerced into signing military service contracts.
“Recruitment tactics often involve deceptive offers of high monthly salaries, signing bonuses, and fast-tracked citizenship,” the Ministry noted.
In some cases, victims were compelled to sign contracts written in foreign languages without proper legal guidance, while their travel documents were allegedly confiscated upon arrival. Reports also indicate the involvement of intermediaries who facilitate travel under tourist or other non-military visa categories.
The Nigerian government unequivocally warned citizens against accepting any offer that involves participation in foreign armed conflicts, stressing that such actions endanger lives and may contravene laws regulating mercenary activities and foreign enlistment.
“Individuals who engage in such activities outside approved governmental frameworks do so at their own risk,” the Ministry emphasised.
To curb the trend, the government is working with relevant domestic and international partners to investigate developments and intensify public awareness of the dangers of illegal recruitment.
Nigerian missions abroad have also been directed to strengthen consular vigilance and provide timely advisory services to citizens.
The Ministry further called on parents, guardians, community leaders, and educational institutions to educate young Nigerians about the risks associated with deceptive foreign recruitment schemes. Citizens were advised to verify all overseas employment or study opportunities through official government channels and to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
The Nigerian government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of its citizens at home and abroad, reiterating that citizens must not be exploited or trafficked into foreign armed conflicts under any circumstances.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sympathised with traders and residents of Kano following a devastating fire outbreak at Singer Market, ordering a comprehensive investigation into the recurring incidents.
The fire, which reportedly started on Saturday evening and raged into Sunday morning, causing extensive damage to the popular food market, destroying goods and leaving many traders counting their losses.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the incident as tragic and expressed deep concern over the impact on livelihoods.
President Tinubu said he had reached out to Abba Kabir Yusuf to obtain a firsthand-situation report on the disaster.
“This tragic incident is deeply concerning, especially coming less than two weeks after another fire outbreak at the same market. My thoughts are with the affected traders and their families,” the President was quoted as saying.
He directed relevant authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the causes of the repeated fires, stressing that urgent measures must be taken to prevent future occurrences.
“The recurring market fires that leave our hardworking traders in despair must be addressed decisively. I have ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the causes and recommend lasting solutions,” Tinubu stated.
Ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) of procuring a highly toxic chemical compound, thallium sulphate, allegedly capable of being used for assassinations.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, El-Rufai claimed that information available to opposition political leaders suggested that the office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu, had imported approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a supplier in Poland.
The former governor said he had formally written to the ONSA seeking urgent clarification over the alleged transaction, describing the matter as one of grave public concern.
Do not enlist in foreign armed conflicts, FG warns citizens
Tinubu sad over Kano fire incident, orders immediate probe
Just in: Ex-Governor of Kaduna alleges NSA imported poisonous chemical
-
News22 hours agoSuspected Boko Haram fighters kill 21 in fresh Niger State attacks
-
News13 hours agoShehu Sani seeks total probe of El-Rufai’s 8-yr govt in Kaduna
-
Entertainment13 hours agoCouple Sets New Guinness World Record for Valentine’s Day Kiss Marathon
-
News8 hours agoOsun: Sen. Fadahunsi, four other NASS members formally defect to APC
-
News13 hours agoFG fast-tracks interest-free loans
-
Sports11 hours agoNigeria’s Falconets trounce Senegal 1–0 in U-20 women’s world cup qualifier
-
Opinion13 hours agoNationwide Terrorism, Banditry Calculated To Frustrate 2027 Polls – Senator Karimi
-
Metro13 hours agoBandits Kill Six, Burn Police Station In Niger State