Defence Headquarters have denied allegations by the popular rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho that the Federal Government was spying on him.
The military authority made the denial in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Brigadier General B.E. Onyeuko, published on its website.
The statement was titled, ‘Re – Sunday Igboho apprehends alleged soldiers, accuses Federal Government spying on him.’
The statement said the military cannot stoop so low as to be spying on one individual, “as wildly and loosely alleged,” adding that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are highly professionals in the discharge of their duties.
According to the Defence Headquarters, an investigation by the military said eyewitness account revealed that the two uniformed men Igboho reported arrested while spying on him were on bike when they ran into Igboho’s boys around Soka, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
They were taken to Igboho’s house around the area and they were immediately branded as spies, the Igboro’s supporters immediately circulated a false video.
The Defense Headquarters added that one of the said spies was a serial impersonator while the other is a man of the Nigerian Air Force. The statement added that further investigation is currently underway by the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army to unravel the actual circumstances which played out on the day.
“For the records, it should be noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, are highly professional in the discharge of their duties, with well-defined roles, responsibilities and duties in its mandate of securing the territorial integrity of the Nigerian Nation. As such, the Military cannot stoop so low to such extent to “spy” on one individual, as wildly and loosely alleged.
“Secondly, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a highly disciplined and professional organization with extant laws and regulations which guide the actions of its personnel in the conduct of their duties. As such, it is practically impossible for military personnel on official duty to conduct themselves in such manner as alleged by Adeyemo and his cohorts.
“For the avoidance of doubt, preliminary investigation has so far revealed that one of the alleged “soldiers” is a serial impersonator. Meanwhile, credible eyewitnesses and sources have also revealed that some associates of Igboho went in pursuit of some individuals when the motorbike conveying the impersonator and one Nigerian Air Force personnel ran into them. The duo were immediately apprehended and taken to the said “IGBOHO House” at Soka before Ibadan toll gate where they were branded as spies. Furthermore, investigations are currently underway by Nigerian Airforce and the Nigerian Army to unravel the actual circumstances which played out on the day.
“The Defence Headquarters hereby warns individuals and groups to desist from disparaging the enviable reputation of the Nigerian Military by dragging it into its petty issues to gain political mileage. Such actions will not be condoned in the future.” The statement read in part.
