The Agwatashi (Olosoho) community in the Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has called on the Nigerian Army to remove its name from reports that have gone viral, claiming an illegal arms manufacturing factory has been discovered in the community.
This position was made public in a press statement signed by Aliyu Adokwe, the youth leader of the community, and distributed to journalists on Saturday.
It was previously reported that Lt Ahmad Zubairu, the Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (JTF) of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), confirmed the existence of an illegal arms factory in a statement issued on Monday in Makurdi. Zubairu stated that troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) discovered a concealed site suspected to be used for the illegal manufacturing of locally fabricated weapons during routine patrols.
“Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Agwatashi, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State,” he said.
“A thorough search of the site led to the recovery of six locally fabricated pistols, assorted tools and instruments believed to be used in the production of illegal weapons, ₦40,500 in cash, and a mobile phone belonging to a suspect,” Zubairu continued. “Preliminary investigations suggest that the location served as an illegal arms manufacturing site, supplying firearms to criminal elements within and beyond the area.”
In response, Adokwe emphasised in the statement that Agwatashi (Olosoho) is located in the Obi Local Government Area. In contrast, Agbashi is a distinct community located in the Doma Local Government Area, although both are situated in Nasarawa State.
“Agwatashi (Olosoho) and Agbashi are two separate communities located in different local government areas of the state,” he stated. “One is in Obi Local Government Area, while the other is in Doma Local Government Area. Therefore, our community’s name was erroneously mentioned in the military’s statement.”
“Our community is peaceful and has never been involved in any criminal or illegal arms activities. No security agency has uncovered any illegal arms factory or made any arrests in our community. We view this as a deliberate attempt to tarnish our good name, reputation, and the positive image we have built over the years.”
“We therefore call on the Headquarters of JTF and Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) to retract this story and clear the name of the Agwatashi (Olosoho) community. If this matter is not addressed, we will have no choice but to pursue legal action against the military authorities,” the statement concluded.
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