Coup to overthrow Buhari: Defence headquarters breaks its silence
– The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has spoken out regarding rumours of an imminent coup
– A statement by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Buratai, set the ball in motion
– Buratai had warned soldiers to take heed of their interactions with politician
– The statement by the COAS passed unto many as a warning against a coup
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has held a briefing to clarify on the statement credited to the army about relationship between some civilians and army personnel.
A statement by Major General John Enenche, the director defence information, suggests that sanity has not been lost in the Nigerian armed forces.
The Defence Headquarters (DH) said it is a command professionally responsible to caution officers and men on routine basis to conform to the ethics of the military in all ramifications. DH said its responsibility is exercised right from the highest echelon such as the office of the Service Chiefs down to the lowest levels of command. Hence, the caution from the Army in this case .
The command says “administratively, officers and men are regularly cautioned to exercise command and control by Appropriate Superior Authorities through commanders at various levels,” in a bid to prevent members of the armed forces from derailing from their core focus of total dedication to their oath of allegiance.
The command noted that, if there are signs of actions that point to likely breaches of military code of conduct as it were, cautions or warnings are issued with possible investigations following.
Thus, in the present situation, the Armed Forces and the Army in particular has employed the due process to ensure that officers and men remain committed to performing their constitutional roles, claims the DH.
The command maintained that the mention of coup plots from some quarters are assertions which are not confirmed.
DH assured all Nigerians and lovers of the country that the Armed Forces, “is and will remain totally loyal to the Commander-In-Chief (C-in-C) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in complete subordination to civil rule”.
The command further stressed that all fears about a coup should be allayed as the contemporary Nigerian Military is abreast with the best international practices in governance, which is democracy.
In this regard, DH said the military high and other levels of command will continue to ensure effective training and administration, to ensure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, retain its place of pride amongst the military globally.
