The Nigerian military has refuted claims of demolishing civilian properties within the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State, while confirming the dismantling of drug networks operating in nearby communities. Addressing allegations circulated online, authorities described the reports of property destruction as “false” and accused unnamed actors of attempting to tarnish the military’s reputation.
Captain Olusegun Abidoye, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the Infantry Corps Centre, led journalists on a tour of the disputed areas, stressing that no demolitions had occurred. He instead highlighted heightened concerns over rising drug-related crimes in settlements bordering the cantonment, including Railway, Unguwan Loya, and Unguwan Aboki. These neighborhoods, while providing informal services to the military base, reportedly overlap with training zones, raising safety risks during live-fire exercises.
Investigations by the military revealed organized drug cartels operating in the vicinity, contributing to surging substance abuse among soldiers’ families and civilians. Intelligence operations identified 15 individuals allegedly trafficking narcotics such as crystal meth, crack cocaine, and tramadol. Suspected dealers were arrested and transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution. The crackdown follows internal assessments linking the communities to security threats, including illegal mining and unauthorized construction on contested land.
Abidoye clarified that a disputed area, allegedly excavated by a construction company, remains under court litigation. The military filed an injunction to halt activities there, accusing plaintiffs of violating a prior court order to maintain the status quo. To streamline security, businesses within the cantonment were relocated to a centralized market. The spokesman denied military involvement in cutting off electricity to local residents, asserting that utilities fell outside their jurisdiction.
Jaji Cantonment, a strategic military hub, hosts prestigious institutions like the Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the Nigerian Army School of Infantry. Abidoye argued that some communities resist relocation efforts to evade scrutiny for illicit activities, emphasizing the cantonment’s commitment to protecting lawful residents. “These hamlets exploit the military’s presence as cover for crimes,” he said, vowing to sustain operations against destabilizing elements.
The developments underscore ongoing tensions between security priorities and civilian livelihoods in regions adjacent to critical military installations. As legal processes unfold, the military maintains its focus on curtailing narcotics and upholding operational safety, while denying any overreach in property disputes.
