By Musa Umar Bologi
Abuja
Nigerian Army has refuted media report alleging invasion of communities and burning of houses in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue state by soldiers of 707 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi.
The army described the allegation as “false and untrue” and should be discarded in its entirety, as “none of our troops was involved in any unlawful act of invading any community.”
Clarifying what seems to have led to such negative report on the army, Assistant Director Public Relations, 707 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, Maj. Olabisi Ayeni said in a statement that: “For the avoidance of doubt, there was an incidence of reported armed robbery at Agirigi Community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State on Monday 18th December 2017, where a discharged soldier travelling from Lagos to Katsina-Ala ran into unidentified suspected gunmen that fired at his vehicle and was killed him.
“Troops on Joint Task Force Operations Zyenda immediately moved to the scene of the incident. Unfortunately, the assailants absconded before the troops’ arrival.
“The body was recovered and moved to Markurdi, the State capital. Patrols were also immediately intensified in the area of incident with a view to arrest the suspects, ensure normalcy, restoration of law and order and to also give confidence to the locals to pursue their daily activities without fear.
“Consequently, on the early hours of 18th December 2017, there was an intelligence report that some people dressed in military uniforms were burning houses in the general area of the incident. Upon arrival of own troops, nobody was seen in the area. However, it was suspected that the same armed men returned to attack the community probably assuming the locals gave the security agencies information on their location.
“Unfortunately, there have been allegations from various sources of media that Nigerian Army troops were involved in this terrible act. This allegation is baseless and most unfounded as our soldiers have been conducting themselves professionally in line with established Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for troops.”
He said the media report which narrated that soldiers invaded the communities was “completely untrue and targeted at tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Army amongst the citizens who have over the years developed strong confidence and trust in it.”
