Defence Academy attack mastermind killed, military warns against coup
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, on Thursday, described those clamouring for a coup d’état as enemies of Nigeria, saying the military remained resolute to protect the nation’s democracy.
This was as the Kaduna State Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed that the mastermind of the August 2021 attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna was eliminated by troops on Wednesday.
The CDS, who spoke to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday, warned coup mongers in the country.
The economic hardship in the country, which has seen Nigerians trooping to the streets in protests against the rising cost of living has precipitated the fear of military intervention, more so as three member states of the Economic Community of West African States have fallen into the hands of military juntas.
However, the Nigerian military has consistently maintained that it had no interest or plan to take over power, saying it remained loyal and committed to the democratic government.
Restating the military stance in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Musa said, “Whoever is making that call (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. And 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. And they should be very careful because the law will come after them.”
The CDS urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the Federal Government, saying efforts being made would soon result in improved conditions of living.
He said, “We can see that with democracy a lot of things are happening in Nigeria. Yes, we are going through trying periods, but in life, nothing is one hundred per cent; everybody goes through a trying period in life, but it is what you do with them.
“You can see the government putting in efforts to ensure that we come out better. And it is when you go through difficulties and come out better you will really appreciate what it is to build a nation. And so we are going through our trying period, but I can assure Nigerians that it will get better.
“What is needed is for all of us to put our hands together to ensure that we defeat those enemies of the government, those enemies of this country that don’t want us to succeed.
“We will surely succeed and the Armed Forces are here to support the government in ensuring that we develop, we succeed and to see that there is peace in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna, Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Aruwan, said troops on Wednesday intercepted a notorious bandit, Boderi Isyaku, who is believed to have masterminded the August 24, 2021 attack on the Afaka campus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, which claimed the lives of two soldiers.
