Plateu killings: Army chief storms Mangu, issues major order to troops

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has ordered troops of the 3 Division Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force Operation Safe Haven to adopt more aggressive posture and decisively stamp out terrorists causing mayhem in Plateau and contiguous states.

Lagbaja handed down the stern order on Saturday 27 January 2024, while addressing troops during an operational tour to Mangu, following a recent disruption of peace in the area.

According to the Army Chief, “Go hard on those disturbing the peace of the Plateau and neutralize any terrorist annihilating people and burning or destroying property and other economic valuables”.

A statement signed by Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the army chief, who had earlier been briefed on the security situation by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major General Abdusalam Abubakar, acknowledged that the security dynamics on the Plateau are complex due to its political background, interwoven with cultural and economic sentiments.

These he added, account for the prolonged duration of the conflicts and the escalation in its lethality. Gen Lagbaja inspected the arms and ammunition recovered by the troops and commended them for not allowing the crisis to escalate to other parts of the state.

He assured that he is confident that the troops will be more resilient and leave no stone unturned in ensuring that peace and tranquility is restored on the Plateau and other troubled parts of the country

Gen Lagbaja therefore, charged the troops to live up to the expectations of all peace loving and law abiding residents of the Plateau, harping that trust is earned and the troops must do all within their means to maintain the trust of the people they are tasked to protect. “Our Operations and activities must be in compliance with the rules of engagement and devoid of sentiments”, he emphasized.

Gen Lagbaja noted, that he is aware of the difficulty and challenges confronted by the troops, as they legitimately carry out their duties, particularly.