By Bavoriat Clara
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has debunked a recent online report alleging that the cancellation of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary was linked to an attempted military coup.
In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the DHQ described the publication as false, malicious, and intended to create panic and distrust among Nigerians.
According to the statement, the decision to cancel the Independence Anniversary parade was purely administrative, made to enable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attend a crucial bilateral meeting abroad, and to allow members of the Armed Forces sustain ongoing operations against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry across the country.
The DHQ also clarified that the arrest of sixteen officers currently under investigation for professional misconduct is part of a routine internal process aimed at enforcing discipline and maintaining professionalism within the military. It noted that a panel has been constituted to review the matter, and its findings will be made public in due course.
Reaffirming its loyalty to the Constitution and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the DHQ urged Nigerians to disregard the misinformation being circulated by what it described as enemies of national unity.
It further called on all peace-loving citizens to continue supporting security agencies, assuring that the Federal Government, the legislature, and the judiciary are united in ensuring the safety, development, and wellbeing of the nation, adding that democracy in Nigeria remains unshakable.
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