Shehu Sani, a former senator, and human rights activist, has urged Nigerians to stop spreading rumors of a possible coup against the government of President Bola Tinubu.
In a tweet posted on his verified account on Monday, Sani said that such rumors were harmful to the peace and stability of the country.
“Those inventing or fabricating and spreading coup rumors in Nigeria should desist from such acts. It’s detrimental to the peace and stability of the country,” he wrote.
Sani’s tweet came amid reports of unusual movements by some military personnel around the seat of power, leading to speculations of a coup plot.
However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Nigerian Army have dismissed the reports as “fake news” and “malicious and unfounded”.
The DHQ said in a statement that the Guards Brigade, which is responsible for protecting the presidency, has always been on high alert and that there was no cause for alarm.
The DHQ also said it would seek legal redress against the online media platform that published the coup rumor, which it described as “a figment of the imagination of the publisher”.
The Nigerian Army also said in a statement that it remained loyal and committed to the protection and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
