By Augustine Ehikioya
Worried by a recent media report, the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army has stated that the Army is not constructing RUGA settlement in any part of the South East.
It described the report as a baseless allegation.
This was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Major Abubakar Abdullahi, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
The statement said “The 82 Division, Nigerian Army has noted with utmost concern, a baseless allegation aired through an outlawed online radio that the Division of the Nigerian Army is currently constructing a Ruga Settlement at Igbo-Etiti community of Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State.
“Though this inciting broadcast emanates from a source bereft of any credibility whatsoever, there is need however to present the facts clearly for the sake of posterity.
“It must be emphasised that Nigerian Army Engineers are not constructing any RUGA Settlement in any part of Nigeria. Rather, the Engineers are currently constructing a Military training facility between Ochima and Affa in Igbo-Etiti and Udi Local Government Areas, Enugu State,” it said.
The statement went on “Upon completion, the facility will accommodate troops during training and aid to improve their efficiency in protecting law abiding citizens across the South East.
“Any counter narrative aired on the project is a malicious falsehood aimed at inciting the public against the Nigerian Army.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to disregard such untrue and false information emanating from this aforementioned media or any information source.
“The Nigerian Army remains a credible institution that unites the country and has no place for ethno-religious sentiments. We shall continue to carry out our constitutional tasks objectively across the country and remain totally apolitical,” it stated.