The military will pursue those who are calling for a coup d’état in the country, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said.
He said such people are Nigeria’s enemies and they will face the law.
Musa said this after opening the main entrance of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and Officers’ Transit Accommodation at the Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
He said: “Whoever is making that call (for a coup) does not love Nigeria. We want to make it very clear that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are here to protect democracy.
“We all want democracy and we do better under democracy. And so, we will continue to support democracy. Any of those ones that are calling for anything other than democracy are evil people and I think they don’t mean well for Nigeria. They should be very careful because the law will come after them.
“We can see that with democracy, a lot of things are happening in Nigeria. Yes, we are going through trying periods. I mean, in life nothing is hundred per cent.”
Also, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has said the Army under his leadership will respect the people’s rights and remain neutral and loyal to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Lagbaja said this yesterday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, at the start of the Nigerian Army seminar on human rights with the theme: Expounding the Human Rights Narrative in Contemporary Times: Impact on National Security.
The COAS, who was represented by the Commander of 4 Special Forces Command at Doma, Maj.-Gen. Hilary Zam, said: “The Nigerian Army under my leadership acknowledges that we are a people’s Army and will do our best in fulfilling our constitutional duties while respecting the human rights of the people.
“I want to reassure the nation that the Nigerian Army under my watch shall remain apolitical and loyal to the President, Commander-in-Chief and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Army is also grateful to sister services for their comradeship and other security agencies for their understanding and cooperation in addressing security challenges facing the country.”
Also, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said the government needs to implement programmes and policies that deter people from joining terrorists’ and bandits’ groups.
The DHQ said good governance and employment opportunities would make terrorism and insurgency unappealing to the youth.
The military top command spoke through the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, at a media briefing yesterday in Abuja.
Buba said: “We have killed several terrorists, their leaders and commanders. Troops are constantly going after the terrorists and clearing them from their hideouts.
“In spite of all these, it would appear that there is more to be done to win this war outside the use of military pressure.
“Accordingly, we must now win this war by changing the conditions that make the insurgents willing to fight. We must also win the war by increasing support for government at various levels through heart and mind projects indicative of good governance.”
