The Defence Headquarters has dismissed claims by the Niger State House of Assembly that the Nigerian Army training camp in Kotangora has been taken over by bandits and terrorists.
In a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the military said, “No inch of the training area has been ceded to terrorists”.
General Buba disclosed that troops had constantly eliminated the threat posed by terrorists crisscrossing the vast area, adding that their clearance operations in the area had denied the terrorists freedom of action.
He clarified that the ongoing operations, particularly in Niger were targeted at terrorists, saying it was erroneous for such threats to be described in any other form other than terrorism.
According to him, the military is working closely with the Niger State government to ensure improved security in the state and for all citizens.
The Niger State House of Assembly during plenary on Tuesday said approximately 23 farming communities have fled their homes, following the occupation of a major military training camp in Kontagora Local Government Area in Niger State by armed bandits.
This takeover, according to them has posed significant security risks, not only for the military personnel stationed there but also for the local communities that rely on the cantonment’s stability for their own safety.
