The Nigerian Army has denied reports that armed bandits overpowered its troops and looted weapons in Obanla, Kwara State, describing the claims as “entirely baseless and misleading.”
The rebuttal followed widespread online reports alleging that bandits ambushed a military unit, seized six General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), and carted away over 30,000 rounds of ammunition.
The reports further claimed that the assailants had advance intelligence about an impending military operation and used it to outmanoeuvre the soldiers.
However, in a statement released on Sunday, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 2 Division, Lt. Col. Polycarp Okoye, said the story was nothing more than a fabrication aimed at discrediting the military’s ongoing operations in the North Central region.
According to Okoye, troops under 148 Battalion (Rear), who are currently engaged in clearance operations across parts of Kwara and Kogi States, have continued to make “significant operational gains” rather than suffer setbacks.
He disclosed that the troops recently engaged a group of armed bandits along the Kwara–Ekiti border, killing two of them and recovering two brand new AK-47 rifles in the process.
“The Nigerian Army categorically denies any report suggesting that bandits overran its troops or seized military weapons in Kwara.
“Our men remain resolute and are successfully neutralising criminal elements within the region,” Okoye said.
He added that the clearance operations have been ongoing to flush out criminal hideouts, dismantle logistics networks, and ensure that rural communities remain safe from bandit incursions.
Military sources further hinted that the Army has intensified intelligence-driven operations in the area to prevent the spread of false narratives that could undermine public confidence.
A senior security analyst, commenting on the situation on a radio programme on Monday morning said that misinformation of this nature could embolden criminal groups and demoralise troops on the frontlines.
“It’s important for the public to verify news about military activities. False claims like these only serve the interests of those who want insecurity to thrive,” he said.
The Army reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and urged citizens to support security agencies by sharing credible information about suspicious movements in their communities.