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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Defence Headquarters(DHQ) has debunked a report making the rounds that the guards brigade has been put on high alert due to suspicion of a coup plot over the ongoing economic hardship.
The guards brigade is responsible for protecting the state house, the federal capital territory (FCT), and its environs.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the publication is “malicious and unfounded” as there is no plot of a military takeover.
“The Defence Headquarters wishes to categorically state that the allegation is totally false.
“It is to be noted that the Guards Brigade has always been on high alert in order to effectively execute its assigned tasks.
“The DHQ 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 has called on relevant security agencies to immediately take appropriate action against the publisher of the article,” Gusau said.
Gusau added that the DHQ will “seek legal redress” against the publishers, adding that the publication has an “ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country.”
The DHQ spokesperson further explained that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has repeatedly reiterated the commitment of the military to protect and sustain democracy in Nigeria.