By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan with agency reports
Any report claiming that soldiers have been detained for coup plot against President Bola Tinubu or that such plot even existed, is totally false.
This is the position of Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
Reacting to an inquiry by The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) this weekend, the Director of Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, a Brigadier-General, described the claims as false.
He said the statement issued by the Armed Forces over the arrest of some officers weeks ago never mentioned that the officers were being investigated for a coup plot.
“We issued a press release on this, weeks ago; and we never mentioned officers were arrested for a coup,” Gusau told the ICIR.
The clarification followed reports alleging that 16 senior officers were being held by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for planning to overthrow the Tinubu government.
The reports also claimed that the alleged plot led to the cancellation of Nigeria’s Independence Day parade on October 1.
In its earlier statement on October 4, the Defence Headquarters explained that the officers were arrested during a routine military exercise for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” and not for political reasons.
The statement, signed by Gusau, said investigations revealed that the officers’ grievances were linked to “perceived career stagnation” and repeated failure in promotion examinations.
It added that some of the apprehended personnel were already facing disciplinary actions for various offences.
“Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service. Upon completion of investigations, indicted officers will face the full military disciplinary process,” the statement read.
The military also stressed that the action was purely disciplinary and part of ongoing efforts to preserve order and professionalism within the ranks.
“The Armed Forces will not tolerate behaviours that undermine the integrity of the institution or threaten its constitutional role under democratic authority,” the statement added.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional governance and reiterated that the Nigerian Armed Forces remained professional, loyal, and fully dedicated to protecting the nation’s democracy.
