The Nigerian military has denied an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Defence Headquarters was reacting to a report published by Sahara Reporters on 25 February 2024.
The report claimed that the Guards Brigade had been placed on high alert, following unusual movements, leading to suspicion of a coup plot in the country.
The report also asserted amongst others that the suspicion prompted emergency meeting involving President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Staff to the President and Commander of the Guards Brigade.
However, according to the Defence Headquarters in a statement by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Acting Director, Defence Information, the Guards Brigade has been statutorily assigned the responsibility of protecting the seat of power and by extension the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.
Hence, it noted that the Guards Brigade has always been on high alert in order to effectively executive its assigned tasks.
The Defence Headquarters also threatened a legal redress on the issue, stressing that it has an ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country.
The statement reads: “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.
“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 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”.