A media story claiming that the Presidential Guards Brigade has been placed on high alert due to fears of a coup attempt has been refuted by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
In a statement released on Monday morning, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Acting Director of Defence Information, criticized the article on behalf of DHQ.
Gusau refuted the report that President Bola Tinubu met in secret with the Commander of the Guards Brigade and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to discuss the purported coup attempt.
According to him, the Federal Capital Territory and its surroundings, together with the Presidency, are legally under the Guards Brigade’s protection.
As per Gusau, it is noteworthy that the Guards Brigade has consistently maintained a state of high alertness to efficiently carry out its designated duties.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded article published online 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 emergency meeting involving President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Staff to the President and Commander of the Guards Brigade.
“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 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.”
The DHQ called on the Police and other relevant agencies to immediately take appropriate action against Sahara Reporters for the story.
It added: “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.”
