The Military, on Saturday, refuted reports in some sections of the media that soldiers allegedly killed four residents of Gwafan village in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The report had claimed that soldiers attached to the Special Task Force (STF), Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), killed four members of the community and dumped their bodies in surrounding dams in the area during an attempt to stop hoodlums from looting the residence of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara.
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But the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, described the reports as “malicious and mischievous”, adding that “the troops of the STF, OPSH, which is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and tranquility in Plateau State and environs only did their job according to extant rules of engagement.”
The military spokesperson explained that nobody was killed while the troops were restoring peace back to the former speaker’s residence but 144 looters, who were arrested, have been paraded and handed over to appropriate authorities.
Enenche stated: “For the records, on Sunday 25 October 2020, hoodlums and vandals invaded the private property of the former Speaker at Lamingo, with a view to looting it.
“Consequently, troops of the STF, OPSH, which is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and tranquility in Plateau State and environs, were immediately deployed to bring the situation under control.
“Guided by extant Rules of Engagement and Standing Operating Procedures for such situations, the highly professional troops arrived at the residence and apprehended a total number of 30 looters.
“Additionally, a total of 114 hoodlums, comprising 21 females and 93 males, were apprehended for looting.”
The Military maintained Nigerian troops would leave no stone unturned in restoring everlasting peace to Plateau State and its environs.
“It is worthy to mention that the timely intervention of our troops at the residence of the former Speaker ensured that the situation was nipped in the bud.
“Thus, the story is a malicious and mischievous publication against the Nigerian Military and Operation SAFE HAVEN in particular, that has commendably fostered peace in Plateau State.
“It is also worthy of mention that on 26 October 2020, 41 suspected hoodlums, comprising six females and 35 males, were arrested and thereafter released after profiling.
“One, therefore, wonders where there was shooting for a situation that was managed professionally to bring the situation under control,” he added.
