By: Tunde Akanbi, Ilorin
The Nigerian Army has dismissed as false and misleading a recent online publication alleging that bandits overran troops and carted away six General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and over 30,000 rounds of ammunition in Obanla, Kwara State.
This rebuttal was made in a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division, Nigerian Army.
According to the statement, contrary to such claims, troops of the 148 Battalion (Rear), conducting ongoing clearance operations across Kogi and Kwara States, had continued to record significant operational successes.
It added that in a recent engagement, the troops mounted a strong blocking position along the Kwara–Ekiti border axis, where they neutralized two armed bandits and recovered two brand new AK-47 rifles.
The statement explained further that at no time were Army positions overrun, nor was any cache of weapons or ammunition lost to criminal elements, as reported by the online platform, and stressed that the publication is a fabrication designed to mislead the public and undermine the morale of gallant troops diligently working to restore peace and stability in the region.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring that all forms of criminality are decisively dealt with across the country. Members of the public are therefore urged to disregard the false report and continue to support the military with timely and credible information that would aid ongoing operations.”
The Nigerian Army also reiterated its readiness to sustain the tempo of operations in Kogi, Kwara, and adjoining states.
Olusola Akintonde