Army camp in Niger not abandoned, military assures House of Assembly

The Defence Headquarters has said it has not abandoned the Nigerian Army training camp in Kotangora as claimed by the Niger State House of Assembly.

In a statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the Defence Headquarters said, “No inch of the training area has been ceded to terrorists” as claimed by the House.

He said troops had constantly eliminated the threat posed by terrorists crisscrossing the vast area, adding that their clearance operations in the area had denied the terrorist freedom of action.

He said the ongoing operations, particularly in Niger State was targeted at the terrorists, saying it was erroneous for such threats to be described in any other form other than terrorism.

The military is working closely with the Niger State government to ensure improved security in the state and for all citizens, he said.

The Niger State House of Assembly during plenary on Tuesday had 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.

According to them, this 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.