The Plateau State Special Task Force (STF) arrested 72 and paraded 27 persons in connection with violence in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, stated this at the burial ceremony of the three soldiers that were recently killed in Barkin Ladi area of the state on September 6, 2018.
General Buratai who was represented by the Commander, Special Task Force (STF) (code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major-General Augustine Agundu has held Plateau State elders and elite culpable for stoking the incessant and repeated violent clashes and their escalation in the state.
He revealed that the body language of the elite and elders, their actions and in actions, have emboldened the youth to maim and kill innocent passers-by at their whims and caprices.
According to him, “OPSH effectively came into force on 21 January, 2010 but the crises on the Plateau has lingered prior to the establishment of the operation in 2000/2001 with vulnerable persons bearing the brunt of the crises.
He said in recent times the bane of the crises has revolve around total act of criminality by some unguided and irate youths mostly under the influence of hard substances.
The Army Chief said that in recent past, the mere presence of troops serves as a deterrent to the warring parties to toe the path of law and order, but unfortunately service personnel are increasingly becoming victims of internal strife and most often their success stories go unnoticed.
“It is evident that there exist armed ethnic militia groups sponsored or supported by some elite and elders who deploy the misguided youths into committing the worst of heinous crimes. There is certainly no constitutional provision that allows civilians to bear fire arms but their possession has become a well sort-out vocation here in the Plateau.
He said the avoidable incident of 6 September 2018 led to the death of the gallant soldiers who battled the armed militias in order to save the communities that were under attack.
Also, General Agundu disclosed, while parading 27 persons including two women allegedly arrested in connection with the recent violence in Jos.
He said though 72 persons were arrested, after investigations about 30 of them confessed to the crime, of which the 27 were paraded, warning that it would no longer tolerate any further attempt to attack the troops.
He however admitted that there were some criminals in black attires perpetrating violence that have been arrested as you can see them here, but they are not soldiers.
