The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that it invited a retired senior officer with the Nigerian Navy, Kunle Olawunmi, over his recent comments on the country’s insecurity.
Olawunmi, who featured in a Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily, on Wednesday, alleged that some government officials were behind banditry and Boko Haram insurgency in the Northern part of the country.
He said some insurgents arrested by security agents had mentioned the names of some government officials as their sponsors.
Olawunmi said: “When I was with the military intelligence in 2012, we arrested some people. During interrogation, they mentioned names.
‘’I can’t come on air and start mentioning names of people that are presently in government that I know that the boys that we arrested mentioned. Some of them are governors now, some are in the Senate and others in Aso Rock.”
Reports later emerged Saturday morning that the ex-Naval officer had been declared wanted by Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
However, the Director, Defence Information, Major Gen. Benjamin Sawyer, who made the clarifications in a statement this morning, urged Nigerians to ignore the report.
He noted that Olawumni was only invited via SMS and voice by the DIA to further furnish the Armed Forces of Nigeria with relevant and pressing security information which he may be opportuned to have knowledge as a Professor of Global Security Studies.
“The attention of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been drawn to an online news publication by Sahara Reporters alleging that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) ordered the arrest of retired Cdre Kunle Olawunmi for recently appearing on Channels Television programme (Sunrise Daily),” the statement said.
“The Armed Forces may not want to join issues with Sahara Reporters for the scandalous and malicious publication insinuating that it’s Agency has ordered the arrest of Cdre Olawunmi (rtd) for sharing his views on matters of defence and national security.
“It is gratifying to state that the retired military officer who is on the military reserve list was only invited via SMS and voice by DIA to further furnish the AFN with relevant and pressing security information which he may be opportuned to have knowledge of as a Professor of Global Security Studies.
“The said proposed meeting between DIA and the retired senior Navy officer was intended to get credible tips on boosting the fight against terrorism/insurgency, banditry and sundry crimes. He was not asked to come along with his international passport. This in no way constitute any form of arrest speculated by Sahara Reporters.
“It is very sad that an online media like Sahara Reporters would capitalize on a proposed meeting between an agency and it’s stakeholder to paint the story in a manner intended to portray the military as draconic government agency acting in a crude manner.
“The general public should please note that the AFN is a professional entity that will continue to be responsive to all credible information that will promote peace and unity of our dear country.
“As you will recall, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor has just completed his tour of the 6 Geo-Political Zones where he interacted with retired military officers with a view to rallying them to lend their support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“In this regard, I wish to use this medium to encourage the retired senior officer to come forward to give valuable information to the military authorities as a patriotic citizen who has served meritoriously in Nigerian Navy in various capacities before retirement”.
