Why Nigerian Military Initially Denied Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu — Defence Minister Explains
The Minister of Defence has shed light on why Nigeria’s military initially played down reports of an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
General Christopher Musa (rtd) explained that the Armed Forces deliberately avoided using the term “coup” at the early stage because investigations were still underway and intelligence had not been fully verified. He stressed that the sensitivity of the matter required caution to prevent misinformation and unnecessary public anxiety.
Speaking during a televised interview monitored by PulseNets, Musa said the military needed sufficient time to authenticate intelligence reports before briefing the public. According to him, prematurely announcing a coup plot could have triggered panic and compromised ongoing security operations.
PulseNets learnt that the defence chief warned that openly labeling such incidents as a coup often forces suspects to disappear, thereby frustrating investigations and allowing key actors to evade arrest.
He further clarified that the case initially appeared to be an internal issue of indiscipline within the armed forces. However, as inquiries deepened, security agencies began to uncover indications of a wider and more coordinated plot.
Musa said: “The moment you use the word coup, you won’t see some of these individuals again, because they understand the gravity and the consequences.”
He added: “In truth, we wanted to be absolutely certain. What first came up was an act of indiscipline, and that was how it all began. It was only in the course of investigation that more disturbing details started to emerge.”
Continuing, the defence minister noted: “We had to follow due process to ensure that whatever information we released was accurate and factual. A coup allegation is not something you announce today and contradict tomorrow. It was safer to hold back until investigations were concluded.”
PulseNets reported that Musa emphasised consistency, accuracy, and national stability as the guiding principles behind the military’s public communication strategy, noting that conflicting statements could undermine public trust and security.
He confirmed that the alleged plot was uncovered through coordinated intelligence operations involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Also Read: Defence Intelligence Detains 16 Nigerian Officers Over Alleged Coup Plot To Overthrow Tinubu
The Defence Headquarters eventually made the matter public on January 26, after concluding its investigations, stating that the alleged plan was aimed at forcefully removing President Tinubu from office.
PulseNets recalls that rumours of a possible coup attempt first emerged in late September 2025 but were repeatedly dismissed by military authorities at the time, pending the outcome of internal and joint intelligence assessments.
