Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports of suspicion of coup plot plan in the country.
The DHQ in a statement by its acting Director, Defence Information, Tukur Gusau described the publication by Sahara Reporters which suggested that the Guards Brigade has been out on high alert following unusual movements “leading to suspicion of a coup plot in Nigeria”, as malicious and unfounded.
The DHQ restated an earlier promise by the Chie of Defence Saff, General Christopher Musa the commitmen of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the protection an sustenance of democracy in th country.
The statement called on relevant security agencies to immediately initiate appropriate actions against Sahara Reporters for its publication.
The DHQ also said it will seek legal redress “on the issue which has the ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country.”
See full statement by the DHQ below:
DHQ REFUTES ALLEGATION OF GUARDS BRIGADE PLACED ON HIGH ALERT OVER SUSPICION OF COUP PLOT IN NIGERIA
The attention of the Defence Headquarters @DefenceInfoNG has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded article published online by SaharaReporters on 25 February 2024 claiming that the Guards Brigade has been put on high alert following unusual movements, leading to suspicion of a coup plot in Nigeria. The publication also asserted amongst other things that the suspicion prompted emergency meeting involving President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Staff to the President and Commander of the Guards Brigade.
The Defence Headquarters wishes to categorically state that the allegation is totally false. For the avoidance of doubt, the Guards Brigade has been statutorily assigned the responsibility of protecting the seat of power (The Presidency) and by extension the Federal Capital Territory and its environs. Hence, it is to be noted that the Guards Brigade has always been on high alert in order to effectively executive its assigned tasks.
It will be recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa OFR had in various fora reiterated the unalloyed commitment of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the protection and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. Therefore, the Defence Headquarters strongly condemn this unsubstantiated assertion which is just a figment of imagination of the publisher and enjoins members of the public to disregard it.
Furthermore, the Defence Headquarters calls on relavant security agencies to immediately take appropriate action against the Sahara Reporters for this unpatriotic action. Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters will seek legal redress on the issue which has the ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country.
TUKUR GUSAU
Brigadier General
25 February2024
Acting Director Defence Information
