Go After Coup Mongers, Defence Minister Directs DIA
Bello Matawalle, the State Minister for Defence, has instructed the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to pursue anyone advocating for a military takeover of the nation.
The Defence Ministry's Director of Information, Press, and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, signed a statement on Thursday bearing the Minister's directive.
Matawalle labelled proponents of an undemocratic shift in administration as agents of darkness and threatened to take harsh measures against anyone found out.
"The military has a democratic government in Nigeria and is focused on their constitutional role of upholding the constitution, thus the call for a violent change of government by the military is ludicrous, nonsensical, and foolish.
"The propagandists advocating the termination of the constitutional government should desist from it and face the democratic reality on the ground.
“Just because criminal elements attacked a warehouse and a haulage vehicle carrying food items to other parts of the country is not enough reason for unpatriotic individuals to resort to calling for military intervention which has no place in modern realities.
"The military upholds the highest standard of professionalism, prioritising the defence of our constitution, and is highly professionalised with positive civilian-military relations."
The Minister asked every Nigerian to continue to believe in and support President Bola Tinubu's administration in its endeavours to elevate Nigeria.
He reiterated the Armed Forces of Nigeria's dedication to safeguarding the country's safety and security, maintaining democracy, and defending the Constitution.