The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai has begun an internal search for soldiers and officers alleged to be engaging in political meetings with the aim of toppling the government of President Muhammad Buhari.
Quoting an unnamed top military source, Punch reports that some arrest may have been made but military authorities are keeping the investigation a secret to douse public tension.
It has been confirmed that the establishment of an army unit in Buhari’s home town, Daura, was an effort to fortify the president’s hometown as well make a public pledge of loyalty.
The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, had warned soldiers to say away from politics as information reaching him suggest that officers were involved in political meetings for “undisclosed reasons.”
The army chief said soldiers interested in politics should resign and join a political party.
According to Punch, the top army source said the army is taking the matter seriously and had already followed up with high intelligence-driven search.
Other sources told Punch that some of the suspected political meetings were held under the guise of some of the recently redeployed 147 soldiers and officers, allegedly trying to familiarise with their new hosts.
The army spokesman, Sanni Usman, said the army is a professional service and would not hesitate to brief the public if it considered the information as necessary.
He said, “The army is a disciplined and professional service. We relate well with the Nigerian public. When there is need to disclose information, we will.”