The Defence Headquarters has said that the Military will never stoop so low to an extent of spying on an individual, as alleged by the aides of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, on Friday, March 19, 2021.
Sunday Igboho’s followers were said to have apprehended two men in military uniform and others, over an allegation that the federal government sent the men to spy on their leader.
But in a statement issued on Saturday, March 20, the Acting Director,
Defence Media Operations,
Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General B.E. Onyeuko described the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as highly professional in the discharge of their duties, with well-defined roles, responsibilities and duties in the mandate of securing the territorial integrity of the Nigeria.
According to Brigadier General Onyeuko, “the attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a trending video clip on the social media, and some other media reports, alleging that some Nigerian military personnel were on a spying mission to the residence of one Sunday Adeyemo otherwise known as ‘Sunday Igboho,’ before they were apprehended.
“In the viral video which was released on Friday 19 March 2021, the alleged “soldiers” were seen being accused of having been sent by the Government to do a ‘survey’ on Sunday Igboho’s Soka residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
“The self-acclaimed ‘Yoruba activist’ also alleged that the action of the so-called ‘soldiers’ was orchestrated by the Federal Government as a result of comments he made alleging that Yorubas are no longer a part of Nigeria.
“While the Defence Headquarters has no interest dragging or joining issues with Sunday Adeyemo or his associates, it is pertinent to clear the air and address these allegations squarely.
“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 the mandate of securing the territorial integrity of the Nigerian nation.
“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 eye witnesses 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.”
He said that investigations were being carried out by Nigerian Airforce and the Nigerian Army to unravel the actual circumstances which played out on the day.
Onyeuko added that the Defence Headquarters has warned 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.”
