The Nigerian Army has strongly refuted a viral online publication alleging that bandits overran military troops in Kwara State, carting away six General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and more than 30,000 rounds of ammunition.
In a statement released on Sunday, October 5, 2025, by Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 2 Division, the report was described as “false, mischievous, and designed to mislead the public and dampen troop morale.”
According to the Army, troops of 148 Battalion (Rear), who are currently engaged in clearance operations across Kogi and Kwara States, have instead been recording “impressive operational successes.” Recently, soldiers mounted a robust blocking position along the Kwara–Ekiti border axis, where they neutralized two armed bandits and recovered two brand-new AK-47 rifles.
“At no time were our positions overrun, nor were weapons or ammunition lost to criminal elements. The report is a fabrication aimed at discrediting the Nigerian Army and undermining the confidence of Nigerians in our ongoing operations,” the statement clarified.
The Army emphasized that it remains steadfast in its mission to crush banditry, terrorism, and all forms of criminality across the country. It urged members of the public to disregard fake news and continue providing credible intelligence to aid ongoing operations in Kogi, Kwara, and neighboring states.
Reaffirming its resolve, the Army declared: “We will sustain the tempo until every criminal network operating within these corridors is dismantled and peace fully restored.”
— By Polycarp Okoye, Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army
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