DHQ Dismisses Purported Coup Plot in Abuja
Defense Headquarters (DHQ) has asked members of the public to ignore a media report of a purported coup plot in Abuja.
An online news platform on Sunday reported that the presidential guard of the brigade has been placed on high alert over suspicion of a coup plot.
The report adds that the commander of the brigade of guards, Colonel Adebisi Onasanya had met with President Tinubu and his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila twice within the last 20 hours.
But the DHQ on its official X page, described the report as fake news, and that it would seek legal redress against the publisher of the online news platform over the fake news.
A statement by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier Gen Tukur Gusau said The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded article published online (Not Vanguard) 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.
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The Defence Headquarters wishes to categorically state that the allegation is 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.
It will be recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa 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 condemns this unsubstantiated assertion which is just a figment of the imagination of the publisher, and encourages 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.
