By Miracle Ogunde
The Nigeria Army has dismissed speculations about the military taking over the government of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu
There were reports on Sunday (not in Starnews NG), claiming that the presidential guards have been placed on “high alert” over suspicions of a coup plot in Nigeria.
The report said key brigades were under watch as the Commander of the Presidential Guards Brigade, Col. Adebisi Onasanya held meetings with Tinubu and his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Reacting to the report, the Nigerian Army quoted one of such reports on their official X page and wrote “FAKE NEWS”.
The Defence Headquarters also threatened to seek legal redress on the recent claim that the Guards Brigade has been put on high alert following unusual movements, leading to suspicion of a coup plot in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Defence Headquarters stated that the allegation was totally false.
Gusua, maintained that 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.
According to him, the Guards Brigade has always been on high alert in order to effectively execute its assigned tasks.
While calling on relevant security agencies to immediately take appropriate action against the source of the report (not Daily Post), it added that the Defence Headquarters will seek legal redress on the issue as it’s capable of creating unnecessary tension in the country.
The statement read: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters 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 an 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 execute 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 relevant 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.”
Last week, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, warned against calls for a coup and asked people to desist from such, noting that the rumour has the ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country.
Meanwhile, tension has continued to rise in Nigeria amid the current economic hardship, rising inflation and high cost of living following the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira by President Tinubu.
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