Nigeria’s Defence headquarters has refuted media publication that the Presidential Guards Brigade has been put on high alert following suspicious movements around the seat of power, indicating fears of coup plot.
A statement by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier Gen Tukur Gusau said, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded article published online (Not Diplomt Nigeria) 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.
“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.
Meanwhile, a human rights group, Take It Back Movement, has begun a nationwide protest in Lagos against the economic hardship being experienced in the country.
This is despite the warning issued by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade.
The protest is coming preparatory to the organised labour’s billed to start on Tuesday.
The police spokesman in Lagos, Benjamin Hundeyin had, in a statement on Sunday, quoted the Commissioner of Police, Fayoade, as warning intending protesters against violence or acts that could infringe on the rights of others, such as obstruction of traffic and paralyzing the commercial activities in the state.
Fayoade assured residents of Lagos State that necessary security measures had been put in place to protect lives and property, with or without any protest.
But on Monday, the protesters took to the streets carrying placards despite the warning.
