The Chief of Army Staff 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.
A statement by the spokesperson to Major General Onyema Nwachukwu says General Lagbaja handed down the stern order Saturday 27 January 2024, while addressing troops during an operational tour to Plateau, following a recent disruption of peace in Mangu Local Government Area of the State.
The COAS, 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, accounted for the prolonged duration of the conflicts and its escalation. 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 noted, that he is aware of the difficulty and challenges confronted by the troops, as they legitimately carry out their duties, particularly, some of the weighty allegations being touted against them. He clarified that though one cannot completely rule out the possibility of one or two cases of misconduct during operations, he guaranteed that the Nigerian Army and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria have an internal regulatory mechanism that does not permit considerations for ethnic and religious affiliations when deploying troops.
He also paid a courtesy call on the Plateau State Governor Barr Caleb Mutfwang, who disclosed that he had never doubted the capability of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in delivering on their constitutional mandate.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
