Soldiers of the Nigeria Army and bandits had head-on collision Saturday in Satguru and Tyop communities in the Mangu Local government area of Plateau State.
Thirty bandits were killed, many others injured and arrested in the skirmish, while some of the soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries. The clash occurred between 7.00am and 7.30am a few hours after the 24 hours curfew imposed by the State governor Caleb Mutfwang was relaxed.
According to Daily Trust reports the bandits invaded the communities along the Gindiri road, this attracted the attention of the soldiers on patrol.
“About 30 of the gunmen were killed while more than 50 of them were arrested with guns and ammunition. Four soldiers were equally injured,” said a member of the community.
On Tuesday bandits in defiance of the curfew attacked Kwahaslalek and the surrounding communities, killing no fewer than 25 persons and burning some property too.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, General Taoreed Lagbaja, has told officers of Operation Safe Haven to stamp out the violence in the troubled local governments of Plateau State.
General Lagbaja made the call during a visit to Mangu to assess the extent of damage the ongoing violence had caused. He told the soldiers at the Mangu Stadium.
“Six months ago, I was here to launch Operation Hakorin Damisa, and I addressed you. The charge I gave you was that you should not allow the situation to degenerate and that you should stamp out all forms of insecurity on the Plateau.
“Let me warn you: you are going to stamp out the criminality and the violence once and for all. Go out and do it. I drove into this place this morning, and I was alarmed that on the major artery, they burnt people’s buildings; they even set bonfires. Is it too much for two soldiers on motorcycles to dominate the major artery? You people became reckless, and they burnt people’s houses throughout the night. Your rules of engagement are very clear.
“Because of the nature of the crisis here, people bring in a lot of sentiment, but I am not swayed by emotions or the battle of narratives. Don’t be discouraged; you are here to do a task, and you have been equipped by the taxpayers, and you must do it. Be focused on your job and deliver.
“When I drove into town, I discovered that people were parking and vacating their areas. That is a vote of no confidence in you; go out there and dominate the space and be responsible; don’t take sides because if you are caught, you will be dealt with.”
