It's a lie! Nigerian Air Force rebuffs media reports claiming its officers are involved in the rumoured coup plot

- The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied that some of its senior officers are involved in a coup plot

- Rumours of a coup plot had been trending in the polity for a while

- Some media reports had linked some senior NAF officers to the alleged plot

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied reports that some of its senior officers are involved in a coup plot.

Some media reports had linked some unnamed senior NAF officers to the alleged plot, after rumours of a coup plot became a trending issue.

A statement sent to NAIJ.com by NAF's director of public relations and information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya described the report as “mischievous.”

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Part of the statement read: “The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to a mischievous allegation by an online media organization of the NAF’s involvement in the planning of a purported coup d’état to take over the reins of government.

“The NAF considers it most ridiculous that anyone in his/her right senses, especially in the Twenty First Century, could still be fixated on the possibility of effecting a change in government in Nigeria in any way other than through the ballot box.”

The statement noted that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar had on May 18, while commissioning a new residential accommodation for personnel at NAF Base, emphatically pledged the loyalty of the NAF to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Constitution.

“It is imperative to state that the earlier stance of the NAF on the unfortunate coup rumours has not changed,” the statement affirmed.

Air Commodore Adesanya reiterated that the NAF is a highly professional and apolitical service that is focused on ensuring the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as facilitating a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to prosper while conducting their legal businesses.

“The strong belief of the NAF in democratic values was also demonstrated during the recent Gambian crisis.

“The NAF was the first and only air force that ensured the will of Gambians was not subverted by promptly deploying its fighter aircraft, in addition to its transport aircraft to airlift needed troops and logistics, in readiness to preserve the country’s democracy, in line with the federal government’s directives.

“It is therefore inconceivable that the same NAF would be involved in any way in any attempt to dismantle the political structure in Nigeria,” the statement said.

Adesanya alleged that some individuals with unknown intentions are bent on further spreading the malicious misinformation about the NAF.

He appeal to those peddling these false stories to cease, adding that they are constituting a source of distraction to NAF personnel.

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Meanwhile, a public commentatorAdemola Adegboruwa has warned that there are dire consequences for those who plan or carryout a coup.

Watch the NAIJ.com TV report on the firepower of the Nigerian Air Force below: