Residents of Agwatashi (Olosoho) community in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have rejected claims by the Nigerian Army that an illegal arms manufacturing facility was uncovered in their area, describing the report as a clear case of wrong identification.
The community’s position was conveyed in a press statement signed by its youth leader, Aliyu Adokwe, and released to journalists on Sunday, the 1st of February, 2026.
The response followed an earlier statement by Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in which he announced that troops had allegedly uncovered an illegal arms production site during a routine patrol.
According to the military account, the location was reportedly used for the fabrication of locally made weapons, with items such as pistols, tools, cash, and a mobile phone said to have been recovered from the site.
Zubairu stated that the discovery was made in Agwatashi in Doma Local Government Area, adding that initial investigations indicated the site was supplying arms to criminal groups within and outside the area.
However, Adokwe dismissed the claim, insisting that the military report incorrectly named the community involved.
He clarified that Agwatashi (Olosoho) is located in Obi LGA, while Agbashi is a completely different community situated in Doma LGA.
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“Agwatashi (Olosoho) and Agbashi are two distinct communities in different local government areas. The mention of our community in the military statement is erroneous,” he said.
The youth leader stressed that Agwatashi (Olosoho) has a long-standing reputation for peace and has never been associated with criminal activity or illegal arms production. He added that no security agency has carried out such an operation or made arrests in the community.
Describing the report as harmful to the image of the community, Adokwe urged the military to urgently correct the mistake.
“We see this as an attempt to tarnish the good name we have built over the years. We demand a retraction and a clear statement to set the record straight, failing which we will pursue legal action,” the statement read.