The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports suggesting that the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary activities was connected to an alleged attempted military coup, describing the claims as “false, malicious, and intended to cause unnecessary tension.”
In a statement signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, the DHQ clarified that the decision to suspend the Independence Day parade was purely administrative and had nothing to do with security concerns or any purported plot within the military.
According to the statement, the cancellation was made “to allow Mr. President attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country and for members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to sustain the momentum in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.”
The military high command also reacted to reports linking the recent arrest of 16 officers to an alleged coup plot, stating that the detained officers are only under investigation for “professional misconduct.” The DHQ said an investigative panel has been constituted to handle the matter and assured that “its findings would be made public.”
“The claims by the said publication are entirely false and intended to cause distrust among the populace,” the DHQ stated, urging citizens to disregard the rumours. It reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain “firmly loyal to the Constitution and the Federal Government under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The military further appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies as they work to protect national stability and promote development. “The Federal Government, the legislature, and the judiciary are working closely for the safety, development, and well-being of the nation,” the statement read, concluding with the reassurance that “democracy is forever.”
The DHQ’s clarification follows a wave of social media speculation after the federal government quietly announced the cancellation of the traditional Independence Day parade, which some online reports falsely claimed was linked to a failed coup attempt.
