The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that two soldiers were killed and a military patrol vehicle destroyed during a security operation in Oso Edda community, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abakaliki, the Cantonment Commander of Nkwagu Military Barracks, Lt. Col. Emmanuel Chielo, described the reports as false and misleading, stressing that no soldier was killed during the operation.
“None of my men were killed. The operation in the area is a joint one involving the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,” Chielo said.
He explained that security operatives came under attack on the first day of deployment but responded with restraint to avoid civilian casualties.
“They probably thought our number was small and attacked us. We responded, but because the area is densely populated, we had to be very careful. If we had acted out of anger, it would have been bloody. We acted professionally,” he added.
The Army commander said the deployment followed violent clashes in Okporojo village, where several residents were reportedly killed by suspected warlords.
Chielo assured residents that security agencies were committed to restoring peace and recovering the remains of victims affected by the violence.
“One of our priorities is the recovery of the heads of those who were beheaded. It is painful and unacceptable that human beings would treat others in such a manner,” he said.
He noted that communal disputes, including land ownership and chieftaincy disagreements, remained major triggers of violence in many communities, though Ebonyi State had largely maintained peace over the years.
“What we often see is just the physical manifestation of insecurity. When you look deeper, there are underlying causes such as communal clashes and long-standing grievances,” Chielo stated.
The commander commended the Ebonyi State Government and the State Security Council for measures taken to prevent reprisal attacks and restore order in the affected communities.
He also raised concerns over the proliferation of small arms, warning that illegal movement of weapons posed a growing threat to security across states.
“Small arms are moving quietly from place to place. People may look like they are going to the farm, but weapons are being transported. Security is not the responsibility of the government alone; everyone has a role to play,” he said.
Security agencies, he assured, would continue joint operations in the area to ensure lasting peace and protect lives and property.
