Defence Headquarters Clears Air On Coup Attempt 

... Says Nothing On Coup Was Mentioned 

By Joseph Sunday 

The Nigeria Defence Headquarters in Abuja has cleared the air regarding a false and misleading online media reports cum publication stating and insinuating that the cancellation of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary was linked to an alleged attempted military coup. 

In a statement issued, signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday, the Director, Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, described information regarding the arrest of sixteen officers currently under investigation as fake and an act of professional misconduct.

Brigadier Gusau explained further, that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, revealed that the claims by the online medium are false, malicious and intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust in the populace. 

Putting the records straight, Gusau added that, “the decision regarding the cancellation of 65th independence anniversary parade was to allow Mr President attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country and for members of the AFN to sustain the momentum on the fight against terrorism, insurgency and banditry”.

Gusau however used the opportunity to re-assure Nigerians that the ongoing investigation involving the sixteen officers is going through a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism is maintained in the Country’s defence mechanism considering that an investigative panel has already been set 

up with findings to be made public soon. 

The Defence Headquarters also call on all peace loving citizens to continue to provide necessary support to the security agents, promising of the necessary support from the Federal Government, the legislature and the judiciary, to ensure the safety, development and well being of the nation as a whole. 

The Defence Headquarters also urged the members of the public to disregard the falsehood being circulated by the purveyors of misinformation and enemies of the Country, pledging the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Constitution and the  leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.