From: Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied allegations that its personnel were involved in the recent purported coup plot by military officers to overthrow the democratically elected government in the country.
The NAF says it considered it most ridiculous that anyone “in his/her right senses, especially in the Twenty First 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.”
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, who made this known to newsmen, described the Nigerian Air Force as a highly professional and apolitical service that remained focused on ensuring the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity and facilitating a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to prosper while conducting their legitimate businesses.
Adesanya, in a statement said the clarification was necessary to disabuse the minds of Nigerians and foreigners alike that the NAF, has anything to do with coup rumours.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, had earlier last month warned officers to steer clear of politics and be shown the way out of service.
The warning compelled the Nigerian Defence Headquarters to quickly set up an ‘administrative machinery’ the investigate attempt by politicians to infiltrate the military and influence some top military officials to take over the reins of power.
Adesanya in the statement made available to Daily Sun, in Abuja, said “The attention of the Nigerian Air Force 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.
“It would be recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, had on May 18, 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.
Adesanya explained that “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.”