The Defence Headquarters says the military cannot stoop so low to spy on one individual as alleged by the activist Sunday Adeyemo alias Sunday Igboho.
Acting Defence spokesman Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko stated this in a release on Saturday in response to reports that military personnel were caught spying on Sunday Igboho’s residence.
Onyeuko said that it was alleged in a viral video that soldiers were seen being accused of doing a survey of Sunday Igboho’s residence in Soka, Ibadan.
The spokesman further said the 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 Yoruba people were no longer 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,” the statement reads.
“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 its mandate of securing the territorial integrity of the Nigerian Nation.
“As such, the Military cannot stoop so low to such extent to “spy” on one individual, as wildly and loosely alleged.
“Secondly, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a highly disciplined and professional organisation 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.”
Onyeuko said that preliminary investigation had so far revealed that one of the alleged soldiers was a serial impersonator.
He added that credible eye witnesses and sources had also revealed that some of the activist’s associates went in pursuit of some individuals when the motorbike conveying the impersonator and one Nigerian Air Force official ran into them.
According to him, the duo were immediately apprehended and taken to Sunday Igboho’s residence where they were branded as spies.
“Furthermore, investigations are currently underway by Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army to unravel the actual circumstances which played out on the day,” the statement added.
