The Guards Brigade of the Nigeria Army (NA) has explained that the presence of military personnel at the National Assembly and other places within the Three Arms Zone was based on intelligence reports concerning the activities of the protesting members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiites.
The Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Capt. Ht. Tagwai in a statement on Thursday debunked reports that soldiers were trying to take over the National Assembly, describing the reports as false and misleading.
Tagwai clarified that troops of Guards Brigade Nigerian Army are routinely deployed within Abuja and environs on receipt of any intelligence report of possible breakdown of law and order.
“Therefore as part of the routine responsibilities of the Brigade, troops were deployed at the Three Arm Zone of the Federal Capital Territory based on an intelligence report of an invasion by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (aka Shiite) to force their way into the Zone. Hence, Troops were deployed to forestall any breach of peace and security.
“The Brigade wishes to state that media platforms should verify their stories before publication to avoid misleading the general public,” he said.
He assured that the Nigeria Army is a professional organisation that conducts its operations in line with international best practices.