The federal government has denied the report that 16 villages in Kwara state have been invaded and taken over by Benin republic authorities.
It was reported a week ago that Benin authorities invaded the border town of Okuta in Baruten local government area of the state leading to people fleeing from the neighbourhood.
Leadership reports that the government denied any encroachment from Benin authorities on Thursday, November 26. This was made known by Dr Mohammed Bose Ahmad, the director-general of the National Boundary Commission after he led a delegation to the palace of the emir of Okuta in Baruten local government, Alhaji Idris Sero Abubakar.
Among those that accompanied Ahmad to the palace were the state commissioner for local government, chieftaincy affairs and community development, Alhaji Haruna Tambiri Mohammed, his permanent secretary, Alhaji Sharu Koro Mohammed, and top officials of the boundary commission. They said their visit was to ascertain the claim that the towns were invaded by Benin authorities who it was claimed also hoisted their flags in the town.
Mohammed expressed displeasure at the way the news had been reported and claimed it could tarnish the name of the country internationally.
Ahmad explained that the border towns in the country were managed by relevant security agencies and could therefore not be attacked.
He affirmed that it was the duty of Nigeria to protect its borders and those efforts would be made to continue to keep the places safe.
He added that the commission was saddled with the responsibility of keeping the borders safe and would therefore not fail to carry out their duties.
Earlier, military officers stormed Okuta over the alleged invasion by Benin republic authorities. The soldiers reportedly had a meeting before visiting the affected areas.
It was reported a week ago that Benin authorities invaded the border town of Okuta in Baruten local government area of the state leading to people fleeing from the neighbourhood.
Leadership reports that the government denied any encroachment from Benin authorities on Thursday, November 26. This was made known by Dr Mohammed Bose Ahmad, the director-general of the National Boundary Commission after he led a delegation to the palace of the emir of Okuta in Baruten local government, Alhaji Idris Sero Abubakar.
Among those that accompanied Ahmad to the palace were the state commissioner for local government, chieftaincy affairs and community development, Alhaji Haruna Tambiri Mohammed, his permanent secretary, Alhaji Sharu Koro Mohammed, and top officials of the boundary commission. They said their visit was to ascertain the claim that the towns were invaded by Benin authorities who it was claimed also hoisted their flags in the town.
Mohammed expressed displeasure at the way the news had been reported and claimed it could tarnish the name of the country internationally.
Ahmad explained that the border towns in the country were managed by relevant security agencies and could therefore not be attacked.
He affirmed that it was the duty of Nigeria to protect its borders and those efforts would be made to continue to keep the places safe.
He added that the commission was saddled with the responsibility of keeping the borders safe and would therefore not fail to carry out their duties.
Earlier, military officers stormed Okuta over the alleged invasion by Benin republic authorities. The soldiers reportedly had a meeting before visiting the affected areas.
