Nigeria and the “Tragic Coup” Report: How Truthful Is It — Or Are Politicians Making Pranks of We the Citizens?
In the past few weeks, Nigeria has been shaken by unsettling headlines, whispers of a planned coup, rumours of arrested officers, and debates about who is telling the truth. On social media, the story spread like wildfire: claims that some elements within the Nigerian military had conspired to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But soon, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) denied everything. In a sharp rebuttal, the military described the reports as “false, malicious, and intended to cause unnecessary tension.” Still, many Nigerians remain confused. If no coup was attempted, who started the story? And if something did happen, why the rush to silence the discussion? Between what the government says and what citizens hear lies a familiar space, a place where truth struggles to breathe. This is not the first time Nigeria has danced around a “coup rumour,” and it may not be the last. But what makes this one different is how swiftly it spre...