Jettison fears of coup, Defence Headquarters reassures Nigerians

The Defence Headquarters has called on Nigerians to jettison all fears about a possible coup in the country and promised that the Armed Forces is in total loyalty to the Commander-In-Chief (C-in-C) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in complete subordination to civil rule

This was contained in a statement Defence Headquarters released on Wednesday through the Director Defence Information, Major General John Enenche.

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, a Lt.-Gen., recently warned officers and soldiers of the army fraternising with politicians, raising fears among many Nigerians of a possible coup.

But Enenche in the statement said, “This briefing is to clarify on the statement credited to Army about relationship between some civilians and army personnel.

“Professionally, it is a command responsibility to caution officers and men on routine basis to conform to the ethics of the military in all ramifications, which includes; interactions and exchange of visits among others.”

According to Enenche, the command responsibility is exercised right from the highest echelon such as the office of the Service Chiefs down to the lowest levels of command. “Hence, the caution from the Army in this case,” he noted.

He further said, “Secondly, administratively, officers and men are regularly cautioned to exercise command and control by Appropriate Superior Authorities through commanders at various levels. This is to prevent members of the armed forces from derailing from their core focus of total dedication to their oath of allegiance. Thus, it is a usual practice in military administration.

“However, it is pertinent to state that, if there are signs of actions that point to likely breaches of military code of conduct as it were, cautions or warnings are issued with possible investigations following. Thus, in the present situation, the Armed Forces and the Army in particular has employed the due process to ensure that officers and men remain committed to performing their constitutional roles.”

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He also said that the mention of coup plots from some quarters remained assertions that are not confirmed.

“At this juncture, let me assure all Nigerians and lovers of this country that the Armed Forces, is and will remain totally loyal to the Commander-In-Chief (C-in-C) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in complete subordination to civil rule.

“Furthermore, all fears about a coup should be allayed as the contemporary Nigerian Military is abreast with the best international practices in governance, which is democracy. In this regard, the military high and other levels of command will continue to ensure effective training and administration, to ensure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, retain its place of pride amongst the military globally,” Enenche said.

 

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