A senior intelligence officer with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has said that retired Navy Commodore Kunle Olawunmi was never declared wanted for an interview he granted on alleged Islamization and Boko Haram sponsors in government.
The spokesperson of the Defence headquarters also said that Olawunmi was only invited to shed more light on information he provided on Channels Television on tackling terrorism.
The senior DIA officer who pleaded anonymity told PRNigeria that since the television interview, some senior retired and serving military officers have raised concern over the comment of Olawunmi.
“The DIA had no intention whatsoever to invite him until when other retired senior and serving officers, especially of the intelligence corps advised that he could assist the security service with vital information for counter-terrorism.
“The invitation was not even formal. It was a phone call by an officer that he knows. We have no reason whatsoever to declare him wanted when he knows how the system operates.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Director Defence Information (DDI), Major General Benjamin Sawyerr in a statement confirmed that the informal invitation was harmless.
Recall that an online media (Saharareporters) had alleged that the senior retired officer was arrested based on the interview he granted Channels Television over his comments.
Sawyerr said: “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 Armed Forces may not want to join issues with Sahara Reporters for the scandalous and malicious publication insinuating that its 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 opportune to know 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 constitutes 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 its stakeholders to paint the story in a manner intended to portray the military as a 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 in 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.”
Many Nigerians have expressed worries and concerns over comments and outbursts of Commodore Olakunle Olawunmi (Rtd) on Channels TV.
Olawunmi who described himself as Professor of Global Security Studies in the interview monitored by PRNigeria said that he was among the people that helped bring Buhari to power.
“I was among the people that brought Buhari to government because I believed in him… I worked with him after we bring him to power in 2015. We have a lot of hope in him and we were ready to do anything for him… What he has turned out to do over the years is shocking”
In the interview, Olawunmi said that some Governors, ministers and Senators are sponsors of Boko Haram and added that Bureau De Change operators are also sponsors of Boko Haram which is also known to the government.
He insisted that the government is encouraging Islamization when he said that every Friday NDA and all government institutions opened their premises for Jumat prayers.
He said Muslims come on Friday for worship in military formations and later they become members of the mess who would later spy on the institution and plan their attacks.
He added that most of the sponsors of terrorism are known within the intelligence community and that the DHQ, DMI, DSS and Police intelligence knows the sponsors very well.
He said Buhari’s administration wants the government to be Islamised as the end game is to turn Nigeria into a Taliban type of country.
He said: “We are currently in the worst security situation in Nigeria today. CIA didn’t trust Buhari before 2015. It took the intelligence community and Tinubu to convince Obama and the CIA to accept him. They said he was a bigot and will plunge the country.”
He also claimed that the government directed that all media houses should be calling criminal gunmen Bandits and unknown gunmen so that the international community would be misled that they are not terrorists. Tagging them Terrorists will invite the international community.
He added that the government don’t want journalists to report the true picture of what is happening in the country.
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