By Micah Jonah
January 27, 2026
The Headquarters of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, has dismissed as false and misleading an online publication alleging forced labour, unlawful detention, intimidation and illegal levies against civilians residing within the Mammy Market area of Eburutu Barracks in Calabar.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Brigade said there is no policy or practice under 13 Brigade or 146 Battalion that authorizes forced labour, midnight raids, unlawful detention or maltreatment of civilians, describing the allegations as unsubstantiated.
The Brigade explained that routine environmental sanitation activities carried out within the barracks, including the Mammy Market, are communal, non coercive, and are aimed solely at maintaining hygiene and safety. It noted that both military personnel and civilians participate in the exercises, adding that such activities do not amount to forced labour and are not enforced through intimidation or punishment.
Reacting to claims of an alleged one thousand naira pass levy, the Brigade stated that no such levy is authorized and that it does not collect any form of illegal fees from civilians. It added that any unauthorised activity carried out in the name of the Nigerian Army would be thoroughly investigated and appropriately sanctioned if officially reported.
The statement further stressed that 13 Brigade operates under strict command oversight and in line with Nigerian Army human rights policies, with functional complaint and redress mechanisms available to members of the public. It said no formal complaint or credible evidence has been received by the Brigade or higher headquarters to support the claims circulating online.
The Brigade urged members of the public to disregard the report and rely only on verified information from official Nigerian Army communication channels. It also called on media organizations to uphold responsible journalism by verifying allegations with relevant authorities before publication.
According to the statement signed by Major Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, the Brigade remains professional, disciplined and committed to the protection of lives and property as well as the maintenance of cordial civil military relations within its area of responsibility.
