The Nigerian Army has unequivocally refuted claims of attempting to acquire land forcefully for a proposed community intervention project in Osun State. Brig. Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, issued a statement titled, “Re: Complaints of Orolu Community of Orolu LGA over Alleged Proposed Community Intervention Project by the Nigerian Army” on Tuesday night.
The statement firmly stated, “The Nigerian Army is aware of baseless allegations made in a press release by Chief Babatunde Oyetunji, Eesa of Ifon. These allegations falsely assert that the Nigerian Army is seeking to forcibly acquire land for a proposed project in Orolu Community of Orolu Local Government Area in Osun State.”
The Army clarified that the report is devoid of truth, rooted in malicious intent, and an attempt by certain interests to tarnish the Chief of Army Staff’s reputation while dragging the institution’s name through the mud.
It emphasized the Army’s strategic focus on non-kinetic operations, aimed at fostering collaboration with the public through Civil-Military Cooperation activities. These activities include community intervention projects like hospitals, boreholes, and electrification. Such projects are initiated after consultations with community leaders, driven by the need assessment and the guidance of senior officers from the beneficiary community.
In this specific instance, a retired senior officer envisioned a medical center project in Osun state, but the proposal had not yet reached the Chief of Army Staff for approval. The Army stressed that it is not involved in land identification at this stage.
The Army reaffirmed that if the retired senior officer’s proposal is approved, due diligence on the project site will be conducted in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. It emphasized that if the project is approved, it will serve the public interest and humanity regardless of community affiliation.
Conclusively, the Nigerian Army categorically denied any involvement in attempts to confiscate community land and emphasized its commitment to transparent and community-benefiting initiatives.