Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has cleared the air on allegations making the rounds regarding Nigeria Military request for visas to attend Invictus Games in Canada.
The military disclosed this in a statement sighed by the Director Defence Information, Brigadier General, Tukur Gusau and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA.
According to the statement, “the Defence Headquarters wishes to address and debunk the recent allegations regarding Nigeria Military request for visas to attend Invictus Games in Canada.
“Recently, the Nigerian Military received an invitation to participate in the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.
“Our team, comprising 3 officers and 21 players, including a team physiotherapist, eagerly looked forward to this opportunity as the only African nation participating in the Games.
“The Invictus Games Foundation catered for our team’s accommodation and feeding needs, along with those of other participating nations.
“However, despite our best efforts, only 14 members of the team, excluding the team leader, captain, and physiotherapist, were granted visas.
“Regrettably, seven of our athletes who had the potential to excel were denied visas, preventing them from participating in the Games.”
The statement noted that “notwithstanding this setback, our team’s outstanding performance earned Nigeria gold, silver and bronze medals, proudly placing our nation and Africa on the global map of Invictus Games.
“Furthermore, the participation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, would have added mental strength to our troops.
“It is on record that the Chief of Defence Staff has initiated laudable efforts to boost morale of our service personnel who risk their lives to protect our nation and its people.
“The Invictus Foundation Centre,(first in Africa) currently under construction, is part of this initiative to provide care and mental healing for our wounded personnel,” the statement said.
In a recent social media post, the former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu on his official X handle condemns the Chief of Defence Staff, General, Christopher Musa, National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, top military officers and some political heavy weights for being hard on Canada after its Embassy’s visas denied.
He questioned the rationale behind sending a delegation of over 70 officers, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, to Canada for the Invictus Winter Games while Nigeria is struggling with serious insecurity.
He also questioned when Nigeria, a tropical West African country, started observing winter or participating in winter games.
“Senior officials of @NigeriaGov who should be ashamed of themselves are frothing that Canada denied visas to the #CDS.
“’How does anyone justify a delegation of over 70 officers led by the CDS to #InvictusWinterGames? When did #Nigeria start doing winter?!
“And why would a delegation with the Chief of @DefenceInfoNG at its head be applying for visas for an official trip behind the back of @NigeriaMFA? How foolish & irresponsible are we supposed to be?
“Instead of acknowledging a terrible @OwnGoal & apologising, we have a disgraceful line-up of senior cabinet members, led by @NuhuRibadu & including freelancing ministers, making the government look more stupid.
“We may be lawless but other countries are not obliged to follow us in that.
“Instead of abusing @CanHCNigeria, @NigeriaGov owes them an apology.
“Additionally, in a proper system there will be an investigation as well as consequences for those who have brought this kind of embarrassment upon the country.
“These people should stop disgracing themselves,” the X handle read.
The Defence Headquarters however concluded by urging “the public to disregard the malicious allegations and support the efforts of the Armed Forces to enhance national security and promote the welfare of our servicemen and women especially those who sustained various degree of injuries while protecting our dear nation.
“The need for accurate information at this time can not be overemphasized.”
