Nigeria, Dec. 4 -- The former Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, has pleaded with the public to disregard an online report that cited a "mischievous reason" for his resignation.

In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, Mr Badaru described the report as a "malicious, false, and baseless publication being circulated online."

The report suggested that he resigned because he "cannot stand and watch the US and Tinubu government bombing our brothers (bandits) in the forest."

The former minister stated that "mischief makers" through the report intended to tarnish his reputation and spoil the cordial relationship between him and President Tinubu.

"I wish to state categorically and unequivocally that this publication is entirely fa...