By Augustine Ehikioya
With total submission to constitutional authority, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has reiterated its readiness to obey decisions of political leaders on Niger Republic.
Once a decision is taken by the polical leaders in Nigeria, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, comprising Army, Navy and Air Force, said it has no option than to follow instructions from above.
This was the view of the Director Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier General Tukur Gusau during Security Watch Africa (SWA) programme on Africa Independent Television (AIT) at the weekend.
The interview was centred on “A Look At Gen. C.G. Musa Leadership Concepts For the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
The Spokesman said “Our own is to take instructions. Whatever our political masters decide, Nigeria will play its role. We are ready for any decision by the political leaders.”
Stressing that the era of coup is gone in Nigeria, he said that the AFN is totally loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, the AFN over the years has been well favoured under democratic governments than under military regimes.
Beside, the administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, he said the AFN also received so much attention under the democratic government of immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari than any military regime in the country.
On the recent call from some quarters for military takeover in Nigeria, he said “The AFN is happy under democratic setting. The AFN is being neglected under military regimes.
“We are ready to defend the Constitution of Nigeria with our last blood,” he stated.
The AFN, in the past two months of Gen Christopher Musa tenure as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), he said, has been performing its constitutional role and will continue to play its role.
Speaking on the recent ambush of soldiers in Niger State, he said “It is a set back, but the troops are not discouraged.”
He assured that the AFN under Gen Christopher Musa will continue to address such setback.
Urging the public not to take advantage of such incident, he pleaded with Nigerians to give the AFN opportunity to investigate the incident and that the outcome will be made public when it is ready.
Asked if the AFN is not loosing grip looking at what has happened in the past few weeks, he said “We want to assure Nigerians, we are not loosing grip and we will ensure safety of Nigeria.”
On the alleged resignation from service by some soldiers, he said the AFN has not had any incident of soldiers planning to resign.
Noting that so many things are being twisted by mischievous persons, he said their main aim is to disunite the nation.
He also denied the allegations that there were religious and tribal bias in the AFN.
According to him, one special place Nigeria’s unity can be seen among every tribe in Nigeria is in any military barrack in Nigeria.
For the AFN to succeed, he said, Gen CG Musa believes in jointness among the sister agencies.
While the jointness will be sustained at all levels, he said that the CDS also believes in collaboration with other security agencies and government organizations to ensure that Nigeria’s democracy is healthy and becomes the biggest democracy in Africa.
Troops welfare, under CG Musa, he said has been receiving top priority attention.
The ultimate goal of the AFN, he said, is to ensure that no part of Nigeria is under the control of terrorists, bandits and criminals.
