Nigeria's military debunks coup rumour

The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh, on Wednesday dismissed rumours that the military is planning a coup d'etat.

A foreign publication had recently insinuated that the military may overthrow the current President Goodluck Jonathan led civilian administration and replace it with an interim government to be headed by Senator David Mark, president of Nigerian Senate.

But speaking when he received Mike Omeri, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency who was in his office for the formal presentation of the Nigeria Centenary Flag, Badeh said the Nigerian Military is committed to protecting Nigeria's democracy.

'Why should anyone peddle such rumours? The armed forces are defenders of democracy, the militaryis an arm of democracy, so how can an arm of democracy work against it?

'The Nigeria Military is committed to defending our nation's democracy, I am sure those peddling these rumours are not Nigerians,' said Badeh.

The CDS commended NOA for the production of the Centenary flag and the coordination of the National Information Centre (NIC).

He also urged the agency to fashion out strategies to keep Nigerians sensitized on national issues.

In his response, the NOA DG, said there are plans by the agency to introduce a security awareness program tagged 'Do the Right Thing; Know Your Neighbour' to complement the efforts of the military.

Omeri said the centenary flag was symbolic of the nation's history and heritage.

According to him, Nigerians owed the military a debt of gratitude for its selfless sacrifice to the nation.

The NOA DG presented the flag to the CDS.