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…reacts to CRRAN allegations
The Nigerian Army (NA) has said that the property allegedly claimed by Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) to belong to Enugu residents but forcefully being taking over by the force is not true.
Making clarifications on various allegations as contained in the viral petition, the Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu stated on Thursday in Abuja that Nigerian Army is the bonafide owner of the property and was last allocated and occupied by Col Emeka Ugwuoke (Rtd) during his service until he was removed from there in 2023.
He explained that 82 Division didn’t defy a letter from the Office of the Chief of Army Staff nor took laws into its hand and supplant the rule of law.
“The senior officer who was allocated the quarter during his service was removed from there by the NA in April 2023
In the viral petition written by the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) alleged that 82 Division, Nigerian Army is threatening to forcefully and unlawfully take over a property situated at Plot 30, Abakaliki Road, Enugu, which includes No. 7 Abakaliki Lane in the Government Residential Area (GRA) of Enugu State.
He added that the allegations were completely unfounded and intended to tarnish the ongoing efforts of the NA to restore peace and tranquility in the South East Region.
According to the spokesperson, “It is, therefore, necessary to set the record straight in order not to mislead the public. The said property is the NA property that was last occupied by Col Emeka Ugwuoke (Rtd) during his service.
“The senior officer who was allocated the quarter during his service was removed from there by the NA in April 2023, when he tried to convert the quarter to his private property after his retirement. Surprisingly, it is on one corner of the property from where the NA ejected the retired senior officer that the trespassers invaded.
“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.
However, as a result, the NA has called for a thorough investigation and due process to resolve the matter, and it stands ready to present its evidence of ownership to the competent authorities.
The Nigerian Army wish to reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law and the proper resolution of this dispute in accordance with Nigerian legal standards and provisions.
