The Nigerian Army has dismissed as false a report alleging that bandits overran soldiers and seized weapons in Kwara State.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement on Sunday, Polycarp Okoye, deputy director of army public relations for the 2 Division, described the publication as “fabricated and intended to mislead the public.”
The report had claimed that armed bandits ambushed soldiers in the Obanla area, carting away six General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and about 30,000 rounds of ammunition.
Okoye, however, said the story was entirely false and aimed at creating unnecessary panic while undermining the morale of troops engaged in internal security operations.
He noted that personnel of the 148 Battalion (Rear), currently conducting clearance operations in parts of Kogi and Kwara states, have been recording continuous successes against criminal elements.
He said, “In a recent operation, troops stationed along the Kwara–Ekiti border neutralised two armed bandits and recovered two new AK-47 rifles.”
“At no time were any army positions overrun, nor were weapons or ammunition lost, contrary to the false claims made in the report. The story is purely fabricated to misinform the public and weaken confidence in our operations.”
Okoye urged citizens to ignore the misleading publication and continue supporting the army’s efforts by providing credible intelligence.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to eliminating criminal groups operating across Kogi, Kwara, and nearby states.
The statement follows recent security concerns in parts of north-central Nigeria, including a deadly attack in
Recall that Oke-Ode, Ifelodun LGA of Kwara was attacked about a week ago by gunmen who killed about 12 people including a village head.
