News
No Coup Scare in Nigeria-Defence Headquarters
...Threatens legal action against online news portal
Defence Headquarters, Monday, dismissed a report by an online news portal that “Presidential Guards Brigade (has been) placed on high alert over suspicion of coup plot in Nigeria”.
But in a press statement issued on both its X and Facebook pages, Defence Headquarters rubbished the report, describing it as “totally false”.
It reiterated the fact that as an organisation, Guards Brigade was “statutorily assigned the responsibility of protecting the seat of power (The Presidency) and by extension the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.”
Therefore, “the Guards Brigade has always been on high alert in order to effectively executive its assigned tasks.”
Defence Headquarters, further in the release, maintained that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, always reiterates the unalloyed commitment of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the protection and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria wherever he goes. It, therefore, strongly condemned “this unsubstantiated assertion which is just a figment of imagination of the publisher and enjoins members of the public to disregard it.”
While threatening legal action against the online news portal, Defence Headquarters also asked “relevant security agencies to immediately take appropriate action” against the news medium.
Below is the full text of the press statement:
*PRESS RELEASE*
*DHQ REFUTES ALLEGATION OF GUARDS BRIGADE PLACED ON HIGH ALERT OVER SUSPICION OF COUP PLOT IN NIGERIA*
1.The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded article published online by the Saharareporters.com 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.
2.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.
3.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.
4.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.
Signed:
TUKUR GUSAU
Brigadier General
25 February 2024
Acting Director Defence Information
