Residents of Agwatashi (Olosoho) community in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have rejected claims by the Nigerian Army that an illegal arms manufacturing site was discovered in their area, describing the report as a case of mistaken identity.
The community made this known in a press statement signed by its youth leader, Aliyu Adokwe, and released to journalists on Sunday.
The reaction followed an earlier statement by Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), who said troops uncovered what he described as an illegal arms production site during a routine patrol.
According to the military, the location was allegedly used to fabricate locally made firearms. Items said to have been recovered include pistols, tools, cash, and a mobile phone.
Zubairu stated that the discovery was made in Agwatashi in Doma Local Government Area, adding that preliminary investigations suggested the site supplied weapons to criminal elements within and outside the area.
However, Adokwe said the community mentioned in the military report was wrongly identified.
He explained that Agwatashi (Olosoho) is located in Obi LGA, while Agbashi, an entirely different settlement, is 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 stressed that Agwatashi (Olosoho) is a peaceful community with no history of criminal activity or illegal arms production. He added that no security agency has conducted any such operation or made arrests in the area.
Describing the report as damaging to the community’s 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 this, we will pursue legal action,” the statement said.
