Invictus Games: We Wanted Visas For 3 Officers, 21 Athletes – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters has clarified that only three officers, 21 Athletes, and physiotherapists applied for Canadian visas to participate in the ongoing Invictus Games in Canada.

The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, stated this while reacting to narratives that over 70 officers and soldiers, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, applied for the Visa.

Recall that General Christopher Musa, on Thursday last week at an event, disclosed that the Canadian High Commission denied him a visa to attend the ongoing Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu did not take this development lightly, asking the Canadian Embassy to “go to hell.”

Gusau, in a statement on Monday, said the military high command wishes to debunk the recent allegations regarding the Nigerian military’s request for visas to attend the Invictus Games in Canada.

He said, “Our team, comprising three 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.”

He continued, “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 the Invictus Games.”

He stated that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, at the games, would have added mental strength to his troops.

“It is on record that the Chief of Defence Staff has initiated laudable efforts to boost the 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,” he said.

Gusau, therefore, urged members of the public to disregard the malicious allegations and support the Armed Forces’ efforts to enhance national security and promote the welfare of our servicemen and women, especially those who sustained various degrees of injuries while protecting our dear nation.