The Nigerian Army Headquarters 1 Division has dismissed a report by the Daily Trust Newspaper alleging that troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army (NA) arrested and killed 11 Fulani individuals, conducted house raids, confiscated money, and seized dried ginger.
In a press statement, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division Lieut. Col. Musa Yahaya the Nigerian Army is a professional force committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting the fundamental human rights of all citizens.
He said the Division firmly denies engaging in extrajudicial killings and theft of citizens’ valuables as claimed in the report. It emphasizes that the Nigerian Army, representing all segments of the nation, is not a tool for pursuing any untoward agenda.
“To clarify the events, on December 21, 2023, troops of the Division responded to a kidnapping incident in the Crossing general area of Kachia Local Government. The kidnappers had injured a young man, stolen his motorcycle, and taken fifteen thousand naira from him. The troops intervened, neutralizing three kidnappers, while one escaped with a gunshot wound and was subsequently arrested on his way to the hospital.
“On December 30, 2023, the first military operation in Tilden Fulani took place, resulting in the arrest of Mr. Ibrahim Abubakar on suspicion of involvement in insurgent activities. During the investigation, Mr. Abubakar confessed to being an insurgent, providing details of his participation in activities such as kidnappings and highway raids.
“He also disclosed the names of five individuals in the community possessing automatic weapons, including his brother. This information led to another raid on the village, where it was discovered that the suspects had fled with their families. The houses were searched, but no incriminating evidence was found, and nothing was taken by the troops. Intelligence indicated the village’s complicity in terrorist activities, with criminals fleeing to avoid retribution from militia groups in the area,” Abubakar quoted
Yahaya added that it is crucial to clarify that at no point did troops of the Division kill or execute any Fulani herder or innocent citizen, nor did they confiscate money, motorcycles, or ginger.
The Division asserts that these claims are part of a smear campaign intended to undermine efforts to eradicate insurgency and terrorism in the Area of Responsibility (AOR). Furthermore, the area where the alleged corpses were found has never been visited by troops of the Division.
He urges the public to disregard these malicious allegations against the Division’s troops and continue cooperating with both the Division and other security agencies to eliminate terrorism, insurgency, and criminal activities in the region. Yahaya expresses gratitude for the continued support and understanding of the people of Kaduna State, urging them to carry on with their lawful and legitimate activities.
