The Defence Headquarters has debunked a media report claiming that the Guards Brigade has been put on high alert following unusual movements, leading to suspicion of a coup plot in Nigeria.
The DHQ described the report as “malicious and unfounded”.
Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen Tukur Gusau disclosed this in a Sunday statement in Abuja.
The DHQ’s rebuttal comes amid a report by a popular online medium (not The Herald) on Sunday.
It said, “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 OFR 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 relevant security agencies to immediately take appropriate action against the online medium, describing the publication of the report as an “unpatriotic” action.
The DHQ also said it would seek legal redress on the issue “which has the ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country”.