Ibadan (Nigeria): The Nigerian Army has described 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.
Lt.-Col. Polycarp Okoye, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army, dispelled the report in a statement made available to the media on Sunday in Ibadan.
Okoye stated that, contrary to sensational claims, troops of the 148 Battalion (Rear), conducting ongoing clearance operations across Kogi and Kwara States, have continued to record significant operational successes.
According to him, the troops mounted a strong blocking position along the Kwara–Ekiti border axis where they neutralised two armed bandits and recovered two brand new AK-47 rifles in a recent engagement.
“At no time were Army positions overrun, nor was any cache of weapons or ammunition lost to criminal elements as mischievously reported by the online platform.
“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,” he said.
The division’s spokesman stated that the Nigerian Army remains committed to decisively addressing all forms of criminality across the country.
He urged members of the public to disregard the false report and continue to support the military with timely and credible information that would aid ongoing operations.
Okoye reiterated the Nigerian Army’s readiness to sustain the tempo of operations until all criminal networks in Kogi, Kwara, and adjoining states are dismantled.