The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that bandits attacked its troops in Obanla, Kwara State, and carted away heavy weapons and ammunition.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations for the 2 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, described the report as false, misleading, and intended to demoralize troops.
The controversial report, which has been circulating on some online platforms, claimed that suspected bandits overran a military base in Obanla and made away with six General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and over 30,000 rounds of ammunition.
However, Lt. Col. Okoye categorically denied the allegations, stating that no such incident occurred.
“At no time were Army positions overrun, nor was any cache of weapons or ammunition lost to criminal elements,” he said.
“The publication is a deliberate attempt to create panic and undermine the morale of our gallant troops who are putting their lives on the line daily to secure our country.”
Contrary to the claims, the Army said troops from the 148 Battalion (Rear) have continued to make progress in clearance operations across parts of Kwara and neighbouring Kogi State.
Lt. Col. Okoye revealed that soldiers recently mounted a successful blocking position along the Kwara–Ekiti border, where they engaged and neutralized two armed bandits. The operation also led to the recovery of two brand-new AK-47 rifles, further boosting the military’s efforts in tackling insecurity in the region.
“These are the kind of real results our men are achieving on the ground, not the fabricated tales being pushed online to cause fear,” he said.
The Army spokesperson urged Nigerians to ignore the false report and continue supporting the military and other security agencies with credible information that can aid in ongoing operations.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to ending all forms of criminality across the country,” Okoye added.
“We will sustain the tempo of operations until every criminal network in Kogi, Kwara, and nearby states is dismantled.”
This latest development comes amid growing concern over security in Nigeria’s north-central region, where communities in parts of Kwara, Kogi, and Ekiti states have experienced sporadic attacks by bandits and other criminal groups.
The Nigerian Army, through various operations such as Operation Safe Haven and Operation Forest Sanity, has been deployed across many states to counter threats ranging from banditry and kidnapping to terrorism and armed robbery.
Despite challenges, the military has continued to assure citizens of its commitment to restoring peace and protecting national sovereignty.
As part of efforts to build trust, the Army called on residents in affected areas to volunteer useful intelligence and avoid spreading unverified reports that could hurt morale or compromise operations.
“We want the public to know that our troops are alert, well-equipped, and ready to respond to any threat. The security of the people remains our top priority,” the statement concluded.
