The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has disclosed that he was among those targeted in an alleged coup plot and was expected to be shot if he resisted arrest.

Musa made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, coming days after the military announced that some officers arrested last October would be tried over an alleged attempt to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

“I was also a target, I am sure you know,” Musa said during the programme. “I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot.”

The minister, who previously served as Chief of Defence Staff, spoke as the Armed Forces moved to prosecute officers implicated in the alleged plot. In October, the military had announced the arrest of sixteen officers for acts described as indiscipline and violations of service regulations.

However, authorities later said investigations revealed that some of the officers were linked to allegations of plotting to remove the government, an action the military said contravened professional standards and values.

“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 of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said in a statement.

Reports surrounding the alleged plot indicated that several senior government officials and prominent individuals were also marked for assassination.

The development has also been linked to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary parade.

Separately, the residence of a former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, was reportedly searched over alleged connections to the plot.

Reacting to the development, Musa described those behind the alleged plan as lacking seriousness. “I think these guys were a bunch of unserious individuals,” he said. “If you look at the calibre of persons involved, I don’t know what got into their heads to think they can take on the Armed Forces like that.”

He added that the plot would not have succeeded, noting that Nigerians have historically resisted military takeovers. “Even Nigerians would have fought them,” Musa said, recalling the country’s long struggle against military rule.

Nigeria experienced several coups between 1966 and 1993 before returning to civilian rule in 1999. The alleged coup attempt comes amid a wave of military takeovers and attempted seizures of power in parts of West Africa, including a reported attempt in neighbouring Benin Republic late last year.