By Martha Agas
The Nigerian Army has restated its commitment to ending the rising spate of attacks on some communities in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA), and other parts of Plateau.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that so far, more than 300 lives have been lost in the recent crisis.
Maj. Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Div. Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit on Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, on Wednesday, at the Government House, Jos.
Abubakar said that necessary measures, including the deployment of more manpower and equipment to the state, had been taken to address the situation.
He said in addition to moving the division’s headquarters to Mangu, he has also held stakeholders meetings with residents and leaders of the affected areas, where he shared his contacts and those of his personnel with them, to facilitate prompt information and rapid response.
“I want to reassure you of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensure that normalcy is restored to the region.
“The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) will be here on Saturday, to assess the situation and the headquarters that we have established in Mangu.
“We intend to continue to conduct operations not only within Mangu, but all the other areas of influence, to include Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom, which will also be touched by our officials to ensure that we sanitise the entire areas,” he said.
Abubakar told the governor that his visit was to meet with the governor formally, and to brief him on his efforts so far, aimed at addressing the attacks.
Responding, Muftwang commended the GOC for his passion and commitment to duty, which he demonstrated with the relocation of the army headquarters in Plateau to Mangu, following the recent attacks on communities.
“We want to thank you that within the short span of your stay, we have seen very positive moves by the military to be able to arrest this situation on the Plateau,” he said.
He said that Abubakar’s deployment to Plateau was an opportunity for the Nigerian Army, and President Bola Tinubu, to have an enduring legacy that they ended the unnecessary crisis in the state.
Mutfwang noted that while non kinetic measures were required to address the situation, kinetic measures were also crucial.
“While it is true that we must deploy non kinetic options in dealing with this crisis, the necessity of the coordinated kinetic action, cannot be over emphasised.
“We therefore, will want to plead with you to rally your troops and mobilise them to do the needful in the defence of our fatherland against the criminal elements that have infiltrated our our state to destabilise it,” he said.
According to him, in the last ten years, nobody has been arrested or prosecuted for troubling Plateau, and expressed the hope that things will change.
Mutfwang however, assured the GOC of his administration’s support to provide a conducive environment for the army to discharge its duties. (NAN)
