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Nigerian Air Force not planning any coup – spokesman

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7 years ago

June 9, 2017

Olu Emmanuel

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By OKOSUN DENNIS

Allegation of plot to unseat the civilian government by the military is still making a rave as the Nigerian Air Force on Thursday denied planning to join other forces to unseat the civilian government as reported by an online medium.

The Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in Abuja that there was no plan whatsoever of any coup known to the NAF.

This is coming after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai had warned officers and soldiers to ignore politicians who were allegedly talking some unnamed officers to forcefully take over the government.

In a statement, the service explained that “The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to a mischievous allegation by an online media organization of the NAF’s involvement in the planning of a purported coup d’état to take over the reins of government.

“The NAF considers it most ridiculous that anyone in his/her right senses, especially in 21st Century, could still be fixated on the possibility of effecting a change in government in Nigeria in any way other than through the ballot box.

“It will be recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar had on 18 May 2017, while commissioning new residential accommodation for personnel at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive Abuja, emphatically pledged the loyalty of the NAF to the President and Commander-in-Chief as well as to the Nigerian Constitution.

“It is imperative to state that the earlier stance of the NAF on the unfortunate coup rumours has not changed.

“The NAF is a highly professional and apolitical Service that is focused on ensuring the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as facilitating a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to prosper while conducting their legal businesses.

“The strong belief of the NAF in democratic values was also demonstrated during the recent Gambian crisis. The NAF was the first and only air force that ensured the will of Gambians was not subverted by promptly deploying its fighter aircraft, in addition to its transport aircraft to airlift needed troops and logistics, in readiness to preserve the country’s democracy, in line with the Federal Government’s directives.

“It is, therefore, inconceivable that the same NAF would be involved in any way in any attempt to dismantle the political structure in Nigeria.

“It appears some individuals with unknown intentions are bent on further spreading the malicious misinformation and hence, the need for the NAF to react.

“The Chief of the Air Staff would like to assure Nigerians as a whole of the unalloyed loyalty of all NAF personnel to the President and Commander-in-Chief as well as to the Government of Nigeria as democratically constituted.

“We, therefore, appeal to those peddling these false stories to cease, as they are constituting a source of distraction to NAF personnel, who are sacrificing on a daily basis to ensure the security of Nigeria.”