Army deploys special forces to Plateau state

Army deploys special forces to Plateau state

- Nigerian army declares readiness to protect Plateau residents from attacks

- The chief of defence staff, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin, warns that misguided youths who offer themselves to be used as thugs would receive the full weight of the law

- Miyetti Allah says herdsmen killed 120 people in Plateau because 300 cows were earlier killed

The chief of defence staff, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin, has authorised the deployment of additional special forces to Plateau to beef up the strength of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), following the recent killings in the state.

According to a statement issued by Brig Gen John Agim, the acting director, defence information, the additional troops have arrived in Jos and have been briefed by the commander of the operation, Maj Gen Atolagbe.

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Agim assured the people of the state of the readiness of the armed forces to protect and ensure their safety.

Olonisakin warned misguided youths who had offered themselves to be used as thugs that anyone apprehended would receive the full weight of the law.

“Herdsmen and farmers are also warned not to take laws into their hands; rather suspected persons should be reported promptly to security agencies,” he added.

Gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen , on Sunday, June 24, attacked villages in Riyon local government area, killed many and destroyed property.

The police confirmed 86 persons dead, while the state government imposed a curfew in the affected areas to check the escalation of the crisis.

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Plateau has witnessed series of crises involving farmers and herdsmen over the years and the government has convoked peace and reconciliation for a apart from adopting strict security measures to curtail the damage.

Meanwhile, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has given reasons why herdsmen attacked mourners in Plateau state, killing over 120 people and causing serious injuries to hundreds others.

The chairman, north central zone of the organisation, Danladi Ciroma, who condemned the attacks, however, claimed the people were killed in retaliation to the killings of about 300 cows belonging to the herdsmen, The Nation reports.

Ciroma said the state governor, Lalong, has done a lot to restore peace in the area but the criminal elements hiding among their people are frustrating these peace efforts. He added that security agencies have tried, but they need to do more by being fair to all parties.

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Source: Legit.ng

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