The Headquarters of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have refuted reports circulating on social media alleging that the late Commanding Officer of 20 Model Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Gabriel Okoye, was killed in a bandit attack.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, described the reports as misleading, inaccurate and lacking factual basis.

According to the Army, Lt. Col. Okoye passed away on June 13, 2026, after a brief illness, contrary to claims that his death resulted from a bandit attack or any operational incident.

The statement stressed that the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death had already been clearly established and communicated through official channels.

The Army expressed concern over the spread of what it termed false narratives regarding the officer’s demise, noting that such speculation was not only misleading but also insensitive to the bereaved family and the institution.

It warned that the circulation of unverified information could generate unnecessary anxiety among military personnel, their families, and members of the public.

The Brigade also lamented that some individuals and media platforms had chosen to speculate on the circumstances of the senior officer’s death without verifying the facts from official sources.

It therefore urged journalists and members of the public to disregard the reports and refrain from sharing unsubstantiated information capable of undermining public confidence and disrespecting the memory of the deceased officer.

The statement reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and responsible information dissemination, while encouraging the public to seek clarification through official military communication channels.