The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Wednesday debunked reports in the media attributed to the Niger State House of Assembly alleging that Nigerian Army military training area in Kotangora local government area in Niger state has been taken over by bandits.
Blueprint reports that the Niger state House of Assembly Tuesday passed a resolution urging Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to liaise with the military in ensuring that bandits are flushed out of the largest military training camp in Kontagora area of the state.
Reacting, the military described the allegations as “incorrect and in accurate with realities on the ground. ”
Director Defence Media Operations Maj-Gen Edward Buba in a statement while admitting that troops had encounters with bandits in the area, insisted no part of the area is under bandits’ control.
“While, it is understanding that troops have recorded encounters with terrorists in the course of operating in the general area. No inch of the training area has been ceded to the terrorist.

“Indeed, troops constantly eliminate the threat posed by terrorist criss crossing the vast area.
“Our clearance operations in the area have denied the terrorist freedom of action,” he said.
He added that military operations in Niger state is only against terrorists.
“Additionally, the armed forces seizes the opportunity to clarify that our ongoing operations, particularly in Niger state, is against terrorist.
“It is therefore erroneous for such threats to be described in any other form other than terrorist.”

He said the armed forces is working closely with the Niger state government to ensure improved security in the state and for the citizens.

“Our troops are not relenting at ensure total destruction of these terrorists wherever they maybe hiding.”