DHQ denies coup rumours, cites President's trip, operations for cancelled Independence Day parade

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a forceful denial against an online report that connected the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary events to an alleged attempted coup.

In a statement released on Saturday, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, labelled the publication as “false and malicious,” designed to create “unnecessary tension and distrust” among the public.

The DHQ clarified that the Independence Day parade was called off for two primary reasons: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic bilateral meetings overseas and the Armed Forces’ extensive operational commitments in ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts.

The statement also provided context for the recent arrest of sixteen military officers, confirming they are under investigation for alleged professional misconduct.

The DHQ stressed that this is a “routine internal process” to uphold discipline and standards, and an investigative panel has been established with findings to be made public. It firmly stated this disciplinary action is unrelated to any political instability or coup plotting.

Reaffirming its loyalty, the DHQ declared the Armed Forces’ unwavering commitment to the Constitution and the Federal Government under President Tinubu’s leadership as Commander-in-Chief.

The statement urged Nigerians to ignore the “falsehood” spread by “enemies of the nation” and to continue supporting security agencies, asserting that all branches of government are collaborating to ensure national safety and that “democracy is forever.”

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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