By Ndayagi Sulaiman
The Defence Headquarters has assured Nigerians that there will be a peaceful transition of power from the incumbent President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to a new administration on May 29.
The Armed Forces high command also noted that the country is safe contrary to insinuations by the United States of America.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Musa Danmadami, conveyed the assurances of the military high command on Thursday during a briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
The DMO was reacting to alleged calls by some individuals for an Interim National Government, and threats by terror groups to halt the transition period.
Danmadami said: “As far as the internal security of the nation is concerned, the police is the lead agency. We are only providing assistance to civil authority and civil power.
“Just like the general elections came and is gone, and winners have been announced, the transition of power will also come and go peacefully. People are just being apprehensive and situated that are not there.”
Danmadami also noted that the country is safe contrary to the widely published travel advisory by the United States authorities in recent times.
He added, “You will recall that there was a United States travel advisory and up till now we are still waiting for the consequences. People have been predicting that the country is finished but nothing has happened up till now. As members of the armed forces, like I always tell you, we are not resting on our oars to ensure that peace and security are sustained in this country.
“I equally assure you also that the intelligence community are working round the clock just as the Armed Forces are working to ensure there is peace and tranquillity. And I can assure you that there are a lot of follow-up operations going on round the clock. Every day people are being arrested. People who are on the verge of committing crimes are being arrested, and people who are moving weapons from one point to the other to go and commit crimes are being arrested every day as reflected in today’s briefing.
“So both the intelligence community and members of the Armed Forces are working round the clock to make sure we nip these things in the bud and if it happens, we respond to it appropriately. So people should not be afraid that when the present administration hands over there will be calamity all over the place. I can assure you that we are ready to address whatever security challenge that comes up. So people should go about their normal duties and forget about the unnecessary apprehensions that people are causing to put Nigerians on their head. No cause for alarm, everything is under control.”
