Following a response by the Defence Headquarters that its training camp in Niger State has not been taken over by bandits, Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji has insisted that the military’s claim is a lie.

Abdullahi Isah, the legislator representing Kontagora 11 State Constituency, had initiated a motion on Tuesday, telling the Niger State Assembly that the Nagwamase military cantonment in Kontagora had been hijacked by local terrorists.

Isah went further to say that over 23 communities within the precinct of the cantonment had been forced to relocate due to the bandits’ presence in the barracks.

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“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 haven, has posed a serious security challenge to communities within the camp, both in Kontagora and Mariga local government areas,” he said.

Responding to Isah’s motion on Wednesday, both the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters denied the claim.

“The Defence Headquarters’ attention has been drawn to media reports that the Niger State House of Assembly alleged the Nigerian Army’s military training area in Kontagora LGA has been taken over by bandits. This Headquarters unequivocally states that this allegation is incorrect and does not reflect the reality on the ground,” Edward Buba, the director of defence media operations, stated.

“While troops have encountered terrorists during operations in the general area, not an inch of the training area has been ceded to them. Indeed, our clearance operations continuously counteract terrorist threats, denying them freedom of action in the area.

“Furthermore, the armed forces clarify that our ongoing operations, particularly in Niger State, are directed against terrorists. Any other classification of these threats is erroneous.

“Overall, the armed forces are working closely with the Niger State Government to enhance security across the state. Our troops remain steadfast in ensuring the complete elimination of these terrorists wherever they may be hiding.”

NIGER SPEAKER INSISTS

But Sarkin-Daji insisted that bandits had become co-occupiers of the barracks with the military, saying that kidnapped locals were housed in the bush inside the camp.

He maintained that what the assembly said was the true reflection of the experiences of residents of the communities within the barracks.

“As members representing our people, we get feedback from our constituents on their plights. So, before we present anything on the floor of the House, we have done our investigation very well,” Sarkin-Daji said on Friday.

“It is not as if we are underrating the military capacity to fight bandits and terrorists, but it is not right to just dismiss the complaints of our people. We want the federal government and concerned authorities to know their plights.

“The communities said the military training ground had become a safe haven for bandits who always come out of that forest to attack them, kidnap people and take them to the same forest. Even the kidnapped victims that were released after the payment of ransom said they were taken to the same bush and they could sight the Kontagora Army Barracks from where they were kept by the bandits.”

The speaker expressed his disappointment at how the military dismissed their claim, adding bandits ambushed and kidnapped over 20 passengers on the barracks road the day after the military issued its rebuttal.

“What we expect from the military was to seek more information about what victims have told us and flush the bandits out. But you cannot just come out to refute what a member of House of Assembly had said,” Sarkin-Daji said further.

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“Let me tell you, as the military refuted what one of our members said, on Thursday, October 31, bandits blocked the road between Baban-Lamba and Beri and kidnapped all passengers in five vehicles. More than 20 passengers were kidnapped and taken to the same forest. From Kontagora to Beri is a vast land belonging to Army Barracks Kontagora.

“So, refuting the complaint of people is not right. The military should do the needful and flush out these criminals. The military is made to protect the people. So, we will continue to speak out to let the federal government and all stakeholders know the plight of our people.”