Nasarawa: Obi community refutes army claim of illegal arms factory, threatens legal action

Residents of Agwatashi (Olosoho) community in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have denied claims by the Nigerian Army that an illegal arms manufacturing site was uncovered in their area, describing the report as a case of mistaken identity.

The community made its position known in a press statement signed by its youth leader, Aliyu Adokwe, and made available to journalists on Sunday.

The reaction follows a statement earlier issued by Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), who announced that troops had discovered what he described as an illegal arms production site during a patrol operation.

According to the military, the location was used for fabricating locally made firearms, with items such as pistols, tools, cash, and a mobile phone reportedly recovered from the scene.

Zubairu stated that the discovery was made in Agwatashi in Doma Local Government Area, noting that preliminary findings suggested the site supplied weapons to criminal elements within and beyond the area.

However, Adokwe insisted that the community named in the military report was wrongly identified.

He explained that Agwatashi (Olosoho) is situated in Obi LGA, while Agbashi, a separate settlement entirely, is located in Doma LGA.

“Agwatashi (Olosoho) and Agbashi are two distinct communities in different local government areas. The mention of our community in the military statement is erroneous,” he said.

The youth leader maintained that Agwatashi (Olosoho) is known for its peaceful disposition and has never been linked to criminal activities or illegal arms production, adding that no security agency has conducted such an operation or made arrests within the community.

Describing the report as damaging to the community’s long-standing reputation, Adokwe called on the military authorities to immediately correct the error.

“We see this as an attempt to tarnish the good name we have built over the years. We demand a retraction and a clear statement to set the record straight, failing which we will pursue legal action,” the statement read.

Nasarawa: Obi community refutes army claim of illegal arms factory, threatens legal action