The Nigerian Army (NA) has denied claims by the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) that it is attempting to illegally seize a property in Enugu.
CRRAN, a civil rights group, alleged that the 82 Division of the NA threatened to take over a property located at Plot 30, Abakaliki Road, Enugu, which includes No. 7 Abakaliki Lane in the Government Residential Area (GRA).
The group further claimed that the army defied instructions from the Chief of Army Staff.
Army’s spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement on Thursday dismissed the accusations as “unfounded” and “intended to tarnish” its ongoing efforts to restore peace in the southeast region.
Nwachukwu clarified that the property in question belonged to the NA and was previously occupied by retired Colonel Emeka Ugwuoke during his service.
The army also claims it evicted Col. Ugwuoke in April 2023 after he attempted to keep the property following his retirement.
“Surprisingly, it is on one corner of the property from where the NA ejected the retired senior officer that the trespassers invaded,” Nwachukwu said.
“The NA is a disciplined institution that respects human rights and the rule of law. We urge the public to disregard the narrative that suggests the NA is acting unlawfully or without respect for due process.
“The NA’s position is that the property remains under its ownership, until proven otherwise through appropriate legal channels, and any claims to the contrary are based on misinformation.”
The army, however, called for “thorough investigation” by competent authorities to resolve the matter.