Army debunks reports of bandits’ take-over of training camp in Niger State
Niger State House of Assembly raised an alarm over the occupation
The Nigerian Army has described the claim by the Niger State House of Assembly that insurgents have taken over its Training Area in Kontagora, as untrue.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, dismissed the claim in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Killings: Niger Govt. appeals for military troop deployments
Premium Times had reported Tuesday that the Niger State House of Assembly raised an alarm over the occupation of Nigeria’s largest military training camp in Kontagora Local Government Area by bandits.
The lawmakers said the bandits’ activities have displaced 23 communities around the Nagwamase military cantonment in the Kontagora local council headquarters.
According to the lawmakers, the cantonment hosts the largest military training camp in Nigeria, where personnel of the Nigerian Army’s artillery corps undergo training.
The Assembly said that bandits had taken over the training camp and urged the state government to immediately liaise with the military authorities to flush them out
Nwachukwu described the claim as ‘vicious insinuations’, adding that the claim had stirred palpable unease within the Kontagora and Mariga communities, as well as Niger State as a whole.
“We wish to clarify that no credible threat exists in those areas as being peddled, contrary to the information presented by Hon. Abdullahi Isah, representing the Kontagora II Constituency on the floor of the Niger State House of Assembly on Oct. 28.
The matter was brought to the attention of the lawmakers through a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Kontagora 11 constituency, Abdullahi Isah, during a plenary on Tuesday.
Mr Isah said the non-state actors now occupy the military camp, which occupied a large piece of land extending from Kontagora local council to part of Mariga local council.
The lawmaker informed his colleagues that since the bandits took over the training camp, 23 farming communities had relocated due to frequent attacks by the gunmen.
“This military camp is now known to have been taken over by bandits, who are said to have established at least eight different camps in the area. The presence of the bandits on this training camp, which now serves as their safe haven, has posed a serious security threat to communities within the camp, both in Kontagora and Mariga local councils.”
Military Denial
“Reports purporting an invasion of the military training area by alleged bandits and the subsequent displacement of residents from 23 communities across Kontagora and Mariga are not only untrue, but are utterly misleading and harmful.
“It appears calculated to incite unnecessary panic in the neighbourhood.
“A thorough investigation by our intelligence unit confirmed that the individuals observed in the area were herders seeking grazing grounds for their herds.
“No malicious intent was detected, and no hostile actions were observed,” he said.
Nwachukwu said that the Nigerian army appreciate the vigilance of the communities and the lawmaker’s commitment to the safety of the people he represents.
He urged all concerned parties to approach such matters with caution and verify information through official channels.
“Undoubtedly, misinformation of this nature has the potential to spread unwarranted fear, engender panic, misdirect valuable resources away from real security priorities, and ultimately aggravate the security situation.
“Our training areas remain secured, fortified, and designed to swiftly neutralize any security threat.
“The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of our host communities and Nigerians in general,” he added.
NAN reports that the Niger State House of Assembly on Tuesday raised the alarm over the takeover of a major military training camp by bandits.
The Nagwamase Military Cantonment in Kontagora, headquarters of Kontagora Local Government Area, has been occupied by gunmen, forcing over 23 communities to flee.
The training camp, one of the largest in Nigeria, hosts the Artillery Corps of the Nigerian Army.
Isah brought the motion to the assembly’s attention during Tuesday’s plenary session.
He stated that the bandits’ presence has led to incessant attacks on communities within the camp, with some residents still being held captive.
NAN reports the assembly has urged the state government to collaborate with military authorities to flush out the bandits and restore peace to the area.
The lawmakers also called for necessary support to be given to the military to secure the training camp.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
