By Victor Akaa.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has responded to a recent editorial published by a popular newspaper, which accused the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) of being above the law.
The Director Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau in a statement vehemently refuted the claims noting that it is unprofessional of passing a guilt judgement on the AFN without fact checking from the military hierarchy.
According to him, the said editorial, published on Wednesday, March 2025, alleged that the military has been riding roughshod on civilians and private enterprises, citing isolated incidents in Lagos.
However, the Defence Headquarters has refuted these claims, stating that the editorial failed to fact-check with the military hierarchy before making its accusations.
The Defence Headquarters also took issue with the editorial’s attempt to vilify the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and the Service Chiefs.
“It would have been more appropriate and in compliance with the professional ethics to fact check from the military hierarchy to confirm actions taken as regard the unfortunate incidence before placing guilt judgement on the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“Gleaning through the editorial, the conspicuous attempt to vilify or cast aspersion on the person of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa and the Service Chiefs as giving tacit support to what the editorial described as growing impunity amounts to being economical with the truth.
“We also believed that the editorial is not been fair to the AFN. Although, the guiding ethics laid emphasis on the need to fact check and balance report, the said newspaper editorial however, fall short to adherence to the basic roles of the profession.
“That the military has continued to ride roughshod on civilians and private enterprises, to say the least, amount to drawing hyperbole on the superlative side.” The statement read in parts.
The Defence Headquarters emphasised that the military has a robust system in place to investigate and discipline erring personnel, including military police and Intelligence Corps.
“This is premised on the fact that we have 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. Those isolated cases reported happened in Lagos. Therefore, to paint the picture to the general public as if this is a daily occurrence across the nation, is not fair enough.” Brigadier General Gusau explained.
He noted that the AFN also has a zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline, with standby Court Marshals in all its formations to try erring personnel.
The Defence Headquarters urged the media to exercise caution when reporting on sensitive security issues, emphasizing that facts are sacred and should not be compromised by personal opinions. The AFN reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and respecting citizens’ fundamental human rights.
Brigadier General Gusau, assured the public that the AFN will continue to remain focused, committed, and submissive to the tenets of the Constitution.
