Defence HQ Justifies Invitation to Navy Commodore

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday denied that the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) ordered the arrest of retired military personnel, Navy Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (rtd). The defence authorities made this denial in a statement media reports of the arrest of the retired officer, clarifying that DIA only invited him to share his views on defence and national security.

Olawunmi appeared on a Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily, where he alleged that the federal government knew terror sponsors, but did nothing about it.

In its statement yesterday, the defence authorities clarified that the retired military officer, who is on the military reserve list, was only invited via SMS by DIA’s authorities.
The statement explained the essence of Olawunmi’s invitation was “to further furnish it with pressing security information which he may be opportune to have knowledge about as now a professor of global security studies.

“The said proposed meeting between DIA and the retired senior naval officer was intended to get credible security tips to add value to the fight against terrorism/insurgency, banditry and sundry crimes.

“This, in no way, constitutes any form of arrest as speculated. It is very sad that a publication would capitalise on the harmless meeting between an agency and its veteran to paint the story in a manner which intend to portray the military as draconic government agency which is acting in a crude manner.”

“The general public should please note that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional force that will continue to be responsive to all credible information, which seeks to promote unity, peace and progress.

“As we may all recall the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has just completed his tour of the six geo-political zones where he interacted with retired military officers with a view to rally them to lend their support to the armed forces.”
The statement said defence headquarters would encourage retired officers to volunteer information to military authorities as patriotic citizens.

The statement, also, urged the retired senior officer “to come forward to give valuable information to the military authorities as a patriotic citizen who have meritoriously served in Nigerian Navy in various capacities before retirement.”