Olushola Omogbehin
Following the widespread alleged coup plot by some military officers to overthrow President Bola Armed Tinubu, the Defence Headquarters has dismissed the reports, saying there was no coup-related plan within the military.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, told Sunday PUNCH that the Armed Forces were unaware of any coup plot.
“l am not aware that people were detained for a coup. We didn’t issue any new statement on the 16 people we said were detained. What we issued is what we issued, and there’s no update on that. If there’s one, we will let the public know.”
Earlier, Gusau had explained that the 16 officers were arrested for breaching military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
“Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations.”
Meanwhile, in an online report, the detained officers beginning from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General, were held down by the Defence Intelligence Agency for plotting to overthrow Bola Tinubu.
The report further alleged that the officers were arrested in their homes across the country.
It was later gathered that the plan was to strike on October 1, but arrests began the previous day, leading to the cancellation of the Independence Day parade.
The arrests started on September 30 and those arrested are more than 16 who were all military personnel led by a general.
Many Nigerians have reacted to this development including senior lawyers in the country. They have condemned any act of military takeover in Nigeria because it is unconstitutional.
Among them is Ebun – Olu Adegboruwa who relating it to the economic hardship in the land, said democracy remained the best system of government for Nigeria.
“It is true that people are suffering and many are not satisfied with the situation of things in the country. But the worst civilian government is still preferable to the best dictatorship. We will keep learning from our democratic experiences and continue to get better. Surely, we cannot go back to Egypt,” he said.
