By Jude Atupulazi
Rumours of an impending coup in Nigeria have been dismissed as false, malicious and unfounded by the Defence Headquarters of the nation.
In a press statement signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Acting Director, Defence Information, February 25, the Defence Headquarters said its attention had been drawn to what it described as a malicious and unfounded article published online by SaharaReporters on 25 February 2024, claiming that the Guards Brigade had 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 an emergency meeting involving President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Staff to the President, and Commander of the Guards Brigade,’ the statement read.
It said the Defence Headquarters wished to categorically state that the allegation was 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 to effectively executive its assigned tasks,’ the statement further stated.
It will be recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had in various forums reiterated the unalloyed commitment of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the protection and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
Now the Defence Headquarters has strongly condemned the coup rumours which it further described as an unsubstantiated assertion and a figment of the imagination of the publisher. It enjoined members of the public to disregard it.
Furthermore, the Defence Headquarters has called on relevant security agencies to immediately take appropriate action against the Sahara Reporters for what it called an unpatriotic action.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has said it would seek legal redress on the issue, which, it said, had the ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country.
