The military has summarily dismissed rumour of an impending coup to upstage the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it was a figment of the imagination of the peddlers of such news. It said in a statement:

“The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to online publications that the military intends to overthrow the civilian administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. This report to say the least is not only baseless and misleading but a dream of those who do not wish the nation well.  The story which was attributed to some Niger Delta militants was concocted to achieve cheap publicity and a complete propaganda and diversionary.

“The entire Nigerian Armed Forces therefore distant itself from this story as it is not only mischievous and baseless but with the intent to heat up the polity and cause public apprehension.  The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin wishes to assure our highly respected political leaders and the entire Nigerians that the military will continue to be apolitical and will do everything possible to defend and deepen our democratic governance which is the best, acceptable and legitimate form of government the world over. The Defence Headquarters restates its total subordination to civil authority and upholding the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will continue to defend all democratic structures and will never yield to blackmail and distractions from fifth columnist. Therefore this unfounded story should be discountenance in its entirety.

“In dealing with the myriad of security challenges across the country, the military will continue to remain focus and deploy every available resources to reposition our forces to carry out their constitutional roles.

“Meanwhile, a new commander for OPERATION DELTA SAFE in Niger Delta has been appointed.  He is Rear Admiral Joseph Osa Okojie who until his present appointment was the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Lagos.  His appointment is with immediate effect.

“It will be recalled that OPERATION PULO SHIELD in the Niger Delta was recently scrapped and replaced with OPERATION DELTA SAFE”.