Gabon Coup: Nigerian Army Commander warns disloyal soldiers to steer clear

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Lagos based 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Mohammed Takuti Usman, soldiers that disloyalty won’t be condoned.

Usman’s warning is coming on the heel of wave of coups in Africa which has triggered panic in some countries. In Cameroon and Rwanda where they have sit-tight leaders, top military officers have been retired.

While issuing the warning on Wednesday, Usman asked soldiers to be loyal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the country and the constituted authority at all times.

The GOC in his address at the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Ogun State urged soldiers to be professional and exhibit total loyalty in how they carry out their responsibilities.

He also told them that their loyalty should always start from the President down to the top hierarchy of the Armed Forces.

“While we are looking at the challenges and how to solve them, you have to be disciplined soldiers, you have to be loyal soldiers,” he told the soldiers in Abeokuta.

“When I mean loyalty, your loyalty must start with the Commander in chief of the Armed Forces who is the President. That is first, and then down the ladder.

“Loyalty to the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, down to your Brigade Commander. You have to be loyal.

“There is no room for soldiers that are not loyal to the constituted authority, no. If you are not going to be loyal, then, leave, go and do other work.

“But the Armed Forces cannot stand it if you are not loyal. Discipline, loyalty and top professionalism.

“We are bearing arms so that other people can sleep well and go about their normal activities. You also have to be hardworking.

“If you go on any course, make sure you do your best and be among the best. Once you have all these, you will grow in this job.”