Army evicts civilians from barracks

The authorities of the Nigerian Army have commenced the eviction of civilians living in military formations across the country.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, had issued a directive to all commanders of the Army   to immediately evict all squatters in military barracks, in reaction to the twin bomb attacks at the St. Andrew Protestant Church, Armed Forces Command Staff College, Jaji, penultimate Sunday.

In reaction to the stern directive by the Chief of Army Staff, the military formations have commenced the verification exercise of all relations of soldiers and officers living in the barracks.

Similarly, the military authorities plan to relocate communities established on military land which are considered inimical to the security of the barracks, especially in the face of the emergent security challenges.

It was learnt that a meeting was held on Monday in Jaji, which is host to five military institutions – the AFCSC, the Warrant Officers Academy, Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Infantry Corp Headquarters – to ensure the removal of civilian settlements within the barracks.

When contacted, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Bola Koleosho, who  said  he was out of town, referred our correspondent to his Chief of Staff, Col. John Agim.

Agim said all commanders of the Nigerian Army were expected to carry out the directive issued by the Chief of Army Staff.

“You were in Asaba when the Chief issued the directive, and if that is what you are referring to, I can tell you that there is no commander of the Nigerian Army that will not carry out a directive  issued by the Chief of Army Staff,” he said.

Investigations further revealed that the Senate Committee on Defence, which embarked on a tour of military formations in Jaji, recommended the relocations of civilian settlements within the military formations.

While reacting to the bomb explosion in Jaji, which killed 17 people and injured several people, Ihejirika had said a purge of the huge civilian populace in military barracks was compulsory and would be speedily carried out.