The Federal Government yesterday debunked alleged encroachment on its territorial areas by Benin republic authorities, It said the report on the invasion was capable of sparking diplomatic row between Nigeria and Benin republic and therefore described it as untrue.

Director General, National Boundary Commission (NBC), Dr Mohammed Bose Ahmad, made the clarification while speaking with newsmen shortly after he led a delegation to the palace of Emir of Okuta in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Idris Sero Abubakar.

He said no inch of Nigeria known to the federal government had been encroached.

In the team 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 National Boundary Commission.

They were in the town to ascertain the veracity of the report of alleged invasion of 16 communities in Okuta, a border town between Nigeria and Benin republic where the latter's flags were said to have been hoisted.

The state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, said the state government was displeased with the report because of the way it portrayed Nigeria in the international community.

But the Emir of Okuta who was reported to have corroborated the alleged invasion, denied granting any interview to any news medium on the matter, saying there was never a time he was contacted.

Some national dailies had reported that about 16 communities that bordered Benin republic in Kwara were intruded by the neighbouring country's security apparatus and hoisted flags.

Enraged by the development, the state and federal governments swung into action to authenticate the report, which might necessitate further action to halt the impending diplomatic spats.

The boundary commission's boss explained that the territorial areas of the country were manned by relevant security agencies and could not be attacked under whatever guise.

Ahmad noted that borders between Nigeria and its neighbours were preserves of the federal government while efforts would be intensified to ensure that the border posts are kept safe.

He said the commission would not shirk in its responsibilities of demarcating the country's borders to avoid encroachment, adding that the body was charged with determining and preserving boundary issues.

The NBC boss promised to report the Emir of Okuta's rebuttal of the alleged invasion to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to avert possible intrusion in the future.

He also assured that the commission would take action in few months on the border areas with Benin republic.

The state commissioner assured that the government was concerned with the alarm raised in the report, which necessitated the dispatch of the team to find out the veracity of the claim.

Mohammed said the state government was embarrassed in the report. Meanwhile, the Emir of Okuta has denied the report of the alleged invasion of communities within his domain by Benin republic authorities.

He described it as figment of imagination of the writer because he was not contacted on the true position of the alleged brewing diplomatic stand-off.

The monarch exonerated his emirate council of the alleged invasion, saying he would never be any part of contrived plot to destabilize Nigeria. Also speaking, chairman, Baruten local government council, Mr Mohammed Omar Bio, warned against any report that could incite public unrest.

He said the council had been living in peace with the people of neighbouring Benin republic, pointing that it would be unfair to allege that the communities in the council area were invaded by armed men.