RE: ALLEGED SHOOTING OF CIVILIANS BY SOLDIERS COMPOUNDS VULNERABILITY OF BOKKOS RESIDENTS

By Sourcenews24.

The attention of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) has been drawn to viral petitions written by the Coalition of Bokkos Ethnic Youth Nationalities alleging that “shooting of civilians by soldiers compounds the vulnerability of Bokkos residents”. One of the petitions also called for the removal of the Commander of the Step-Up Headquarters 2 in Bokkos.

The allegations above which also pointed out that security agencies failed to quell hostilities during the incident on 13 April 2024 is completely unfounded and intended to tarnish the ongoing efforts of all security agencies to flush out militia groups in the general area. It is therefore necessary to set the record straight in order not to mislead the public and undermine the positive strides being made by security agencies.

Upon receipt of distress calls during the attacks, personnel responded from three fronts which forced the assailants to abandon their mission and flee. It is important to point out that the quick response of forces led to the prompt quelling of the attacks which simultaneously targeted Kopnanle and Mandang Mushu in Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas of Plateau State. At the time of repelling the attack, one person was killed and two others were injured at Kopnanle while three persons were injured at Mandang Mushu (two of the injured persons later died while receiving treatment).

Suffice to state that nothing can be further from the truth than the allegation of personnel being involved in the killing of vigilantes at Kopyal Village in Bokkos Local Government Area. It is expedient to note that security agencies deployed in Bokkos were not involved in any confrontation with vigilantes as mischievously claimed in the petition. Security agencies were rather preoccupied with restoring normalcy during the confrontations between militia groups of different ethnic groups on 13 April 2024. Kudos should be given to these troops who remained deployed without break for over 72 hours ensuring that the high grounds and other vulnerable communities were dominated in a bid to protect law abiding citizens. The deceased militia was found to be one of those killed by other militias who invaded the area during the confrontation between rival militia groups in the area. Also, the use of sophisticated weapons by the acclaimed vigilante was further buttressed by the discovery of eleven (11) rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition in the possession of the dead militia contrary to claims that he was a vigilante who was using dane gun to protect his community, moreover the acclaimed vigilante was already dead before the troops arrived the area. Therefore, the allegation of killing of the vigilante is a calculated effort to feign weakness and exonerate the dead vigilante from his participation in the attacks and counter reprisals.

In another development, the call for the removal of the Commander of the recently established Step-Up Headquarters in Bokkos, Colonel CY Ofurumazi is also malicious. The call is not unconnected with the increased tempo of operations carried out by troops under the command of the senior officer which has denied criminal elements on both sides of the divide the freedom of action. The desperation of the petitioners may have been aggravated by the impartial stance of Col Ofurumazi during the attack which was already being given a religious connotation to stir sentiment and instigate spill over to other parts of Plateau State as well as his refusal to yield to demands which would have called his neutrality to question.

It is of utmost importance to stress the risks associated with desperate attempts to galvanize negative public opinion against security agencies taking into account the risks it poses. Notwithstanding the deliberate efforts to cast aspersion on personnel, security agencies will continue to take proactive steps to prevent breakdown of law and order in the Joint Operations Area.

Personnel under command would continue to be neutral, just and fair in the combined efforts to ensure peace and security of the citizens. Together, we can make our communities safer for all. Let us shun violence and embrace peaceful coexistence. We therefore urge the public to disregard the misinformation peddled by persons obviously seeking cheap popularity. We urge the public to continue to collaborate and avail security agencies with credible information that will aid in securing law-abiding citizens in the Joint Operations Area.

SAMSON NANTIP ZHAKOM
Major
Media Information Officer OPSH
14 April 2024