The Nigerian Air Force has debunked speculations making the
rounds, that it is planning a coup.
The service in a statement signed by the Director of Public
Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, made it clear
that there was no plan to overthrow the President Muhammadu Buhari’s
administration.
The statement released on Thursday said: “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.”
By Ifreke Inyang
