Abuja, Nigeria) – The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a strong rebuttal against a media report alleging an attempted military coup to unseat President Bola Tinubu, labeling the claims as entirely false and aimed at creating public unrest.
The rebuttal follows an online publication that claimed a Brigadier General and other officers were detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over a coup plot. The report had attempted to link the recent cancellation of the military match past for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary to an alleged coup scare.
In a statement released on [Date], the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, provided official explanations to counter the allegations.
Parade Cancellation Explained
Brigadier General Gusau clarified that the decision to cancel the 65th Independence Anniversary parade was purely strategic and operational.
“The decision… was to allow Mr. President to attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country and for members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to sustain the momentum on the fight against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry,” he stated.
Context on Arrested Officers
The DHQ also addressed the report’s reference to the arrest of 16 military officers, emphasizing that the ongoing investigation is a standard internal disciplinary process.
Gusau reassured the public that an investigative panel has been duly constituted to look into the matter of professional misconduct, and its findings will be made public. He stressed that this is a routine procedure to maintain discipline and professionalism within the armed forces.
A Firm Rejection of Falsehood
The statement firmly urged the public to disregard the coup report, affirming the military’s unwavering loyalty to the nation’s democratic institutions.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains firmly loyal to the Constitution and the Federal government under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the DHQ spokesman added.
The DHQ concluded by calling on citizens to continue their support for the armed forces and other security agencies in their efforts to ensure national security.
