The Presidency has dismissed reports of an alleged coup plot within the Nigerian Army, warning that such claims are damaging the nation’s economy and discouraging foreign investment.
Speaking on Arise News Prime Time on Thursday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, cautioned that sensational stories on national security could erode investor confidence and tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation.
“When a country is looking for investment and the media are shouting ‘coup attempt,’ it scares investors away. Stories like that can destroy the country’s reputation and economy. We need to wait for facts, evidence, not rumours,” Onanuga said.
He urged journalists and the public to exercise restraint, noting that the military had confirmed some arrests but that no credible evidence had been found linking them to a coup attempt.
Onanuga warned that rushing to publish unverified claims could have “grave national consequences,” adding that some outlets were prioritizing online traffic over national stability.
“Some media outlets ran with the story for clicks and attention. But as patriotic Nigerians, we must know that what we report has implications for our economy and stability,” he stated.
While acknowledging citizens’ distrust of official communication, Onanuga maintained that such skepticism should not justify spreading unverified reports.
“It’s true people don’t always trust government — that happens everywhere in the world. But the media also have a social responsibility to be cautious and wait for facts,” he said.
His remarks come two weeks after Sahara Reporters published a story alleging that some military officers were plotting to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration.
The Defence Headquarters had since dismissed the report, clarifying through its spokesperson, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, that the arrests mentioned were connected to “issues of indiscipline,” not a coup attempt.