The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday, said personnel of his service had accepted the democratic system of government in place in the country and had no plan to truncate it.
Gen. Lagbaja described personnel of the Nigerian Army under his leadership as ‘agents’ of Democracy.
His statement came in the wake of a series of coup allegations against the military.
READ ALSO: http://Edo Assembly moves to impeach dep. gov, Philip Shuaibu
The allegations were fueled by the forceful takeover of power by the military in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic.
He said, “Permit me to seize this opportunity to reiterate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly the Nigerian Army, has come to terms with the country’s choice of democracy as the preferred system of governance. We are, therefore, agents of democracy and have no desire to truncate it. The military had earlier revealed that there were pressure from certain unnamed quarters for a takeover of government following the lingering insecurity in the country.
READ ALSO: http://Reps mull establishment of Tax Crime Commission
But Gen. Lagbaja said the Armed Forces was on top of its game and would continue to do the needful in protecting democracy in the country.
He said this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after he inaugurated the main entrance of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Officers Transit Accommodation, both at the Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The CDS said, “Whoever is making that call (coup) does not love Nigeria. We want to make it very clear that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are here to protect Democracy.
