Army Debunks Extortion Claim Over Delta Checkpoint Clash

​The Headquarters 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has categorically refuted allegations of assault and extortion leveled against its personnel following a security intervention in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

​Addressing a viral video that circulated widely across social media platforms, the military dismissed the footage as misleading and malicious. According to an official statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the Brigade, Iliyasu Rijau, troops were executing a snap checkpoint on November 3 at approximately 10:00 PM in response to escalating concerns regarding cult-related violence, armed robbery, and communal unrest in the locality.

​The situation escalated when three individuals approached the checkpoint and allegedly refused to comply with routine security identification checks. During the ensuing confrontation, one of the men attempted to snatch a service rifle from a soldier, managing to pull out the weapon’s magazine while sustaining a minor hand injury from its sharp edges.

​The military emphasized that troops acted with restraint and professionalism, immediately administering first aid at a nearby pharmacy before transferring the individuals to the 63 Brigade Headquarters for comprehensive medical care and interrogation. Preliminary findings from the subsequent investigation reportedly revealed that the suspects confessed to participating in cult activities and internet fraud.

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​Rejecting claims that soldiers demanded bribes from the suspects, the Brigade underscored that extortion directly violates the core operational values and professional code of ethics of the Nigerian Army. Furthermore, military authorities questioned the authenticity of the report’s origin, alleging that the individual who circulated the viral video is an overseas-based fugitive with a history of publishing inflammatory content aimed at discrediting security forces.

​The Commander of the 63 Brigade has appealed to residents of Ibusa and the wider public to remain calm, ignore unverified claims, and continue collaborating with law enforcement by sharing actionable intelligence. Reaffirming the military’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property, authorities issued a stern warning to criminal elements and cultists operating in the region to renounce illegal activities or face severe legal consequences.