The Nigerian Army (NA) has debunked reports in a section of the media that its soldiers invaded the Enugu residence of a retired army officer and evicted his family forcefully
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja said that the story was deliberately cooked up to tarnish the image and reputation of the Nigerian Army.
According to him, ”it is expedient to set the record straight and clear grey areas on the ejection of the retired senior officer.
He stated that House 7 on Abakaliki Lane in question was among the Federal Government houses accommodating Army officers in Enugu for over two decades.
According to him, “the house was allocated to retired Col. E L Ugwoke, then a Major, as his official residence when he was posted as the Deputy Commander 82 Division Intelligence Group in 2007.
He explained that the officer continued to occupy the house even after he was transferred.
He added that it was later discovered that he attempted to dubiously appropriate the house to himself, using some officials of Enugu State government.
Nwachukwu said that in 2020, a committee was instituted by then General Officer Commanding (GOC) to ascertain the status of the property.
According to him,”the property was discovered to be among the houses handed over to 82 Division by past administrators to ameliorate accommodation challenges of the division.
“The said property was not among 26 residential quarters officially handed over to the Enugu State Government in 2015.
“There are no documents to confirm that the said property was sold or paid for by anyone.
“It is worthy of note that officers of the army occupying institutionalised houses are expected to vacate while on posting or retirement.
“However, the retired senior officer failed to comply, knowing fully the rippling effects on accommodation status of others posted to the division as serving officers.”
The Army spokesman also said that the alleged brutalisation of the retired officer’s wife and children in the said publication was outright false, aimed at whipping up undue sentiments.
He said the Nigerian Army ” is a disciplined institution with utmost regard for family institution, as well as the vulnerable, particularly, women and children” .
According to him, the ejection process was audio and visually documented, as it was envisaged that such allegations could arise.
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