There would‘ve been mayhem in Mangu if not for military intervention – Cleric

A Mangu-based cleric, Rev Samuel Chukwuma of the Lighthouse of All Nations Assembly, has commended the military for preventing further destruction of lives and property during the recent crisis in the area.

Chukwuma, in a telephone interview on Friday, said the swift response by troops of Operation Safe Haven helped to prevent further loss of lives in the aftermath of the regrettable sectarian clash that unfolded in Mangu communities in Plateau.

According to him, the crisis management tactics demonstrated by the troops of the special task force, whose timely intervention substantially curb for the casualties within the locality, is commendable.

“The troops carried out their constitutional responsibilities with utmost professionalism, disregarding any affiliations to ethnic or religious groups.

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“The swift response played a significant role in preventing further loss of lives in the targeted areas,” he said.

The cleric said that while the military plays pivotal role in resolving the situation, there was need for politicians to refrain from stoking tension for personal gains.

He emphasised that finding a lasting solution to the crisis relied tremendously on the cooperation of influential leaders within the political circle.

Chukwuma said that falsified narratives that were amplified on social media platforms exacerbated the severity of the clashes and magnified the number of precious lives lost.

He cautioned religious leaders against contributing to the escalation of the crisis through their statements, and condemned the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mangu branch, for indulging in the dangerous game of inflaming emotions and potentially putting innocent lives at risk. (NAN)