How media report blamed Army for helping avert bloody cultist terrorism in Lagos community
*81 Division reacts, says news report fake as no exchange of fire
*On contrary, one of our soldiers got deep cut in his head – Army
The Nigerian Army has described as fake the news report linking its intervention at stopping cultist terror unleashed on Isheri-Olofin, a community in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, with a purported killing of three persons in the area.
Major CK Abiade, Assistant Director Public Relations 9 Brigade, made this known in a statement he issued on Wednesday and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER.
The statement noted that attention of 81 Division was drawn to a news story (not by The DEFENDER) “insinuating that soldiers of 9 Brigade on patrol were involved in the killing of three people in Isheri Olofin Community of Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State on the 13th of August 2019.”
It then made the position of the Division known saying it “hereby states that the patrol team in response to a distressed call, made a prompt intervention to forestall bloody clash among the “Isheri boys” who are allegedly referred to as a dangerous cult group terrorizing the community”, adding that there was no way somebody could have been killed during the military intervention when there was no firing or exchange of fire between the troops and cultists.
It said: “It is important to also state that there was no firing or exchange of fire between the troops and the alleged cult group throughout the period of the troops’ intervention.
“However, one of our soldiers got a deep cut on the head arising from the troops’ efforts to avert lethal conflict in the community.
“The wounded has been evacuated to Gentalbert Hospital for first aid treatment from where he was subsequently transferred to the Military Hospital. He is responding to treatment at the moment. Peace has since been restored to the affected area,” he said.
The Army however called on members of the public “to disregard the news indicating the so called killing of three people in the area. The news is baseless and is therefore fake.”
In the meantime, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen JO Irefin has once again assured the public of the resolve of the Division to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens of the State and environs while urging the people to continue with their legitimate routine activities unhindered.