PLATEAU: 30 gunmen killed, 50 arrested in clash with Nigerian Army at Mangu
About 30 gunmen were reportedly killed Saturday in a clash with Nigerian soldiers at at Satguru and Tyop villages of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources said some soldiers also sustained injuries during the clash.
Daily Trust quoted a source to have said “The incident occurred between 7 to 7:30am when the gunmen came in their numbers and started attacking some communities along Gindri road. In no time, the soldiers were alerted and immediately responded.
“About 30 of the gunmen were killed while more than 50 of them were arrested with guns and ammunition. Four soldiers were equally injured.”
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General, Taoreed Lagbaja, has given troops deployed to Mangu Local Government Area a marching order to end the killings in the area.
The army chief gave the order at Mangu Mini Stadium while addressing the newly deployed troops in the area.
The deployment of the troops followed the recent ethno-religious violence that broke out among the communities of Mangu, where many people were killed and property, including religious centres, destroyed.
Lagbaja instructed the troops to take a decisive action, utilise strategic maneuvers and employ necessary the force to swiftly and effectively end to killings.
The COAS, who expressed sadness over the wanton destruction of lives and property in the area, charged the troops to go after the law breakers.
“Six months ago, I was here and launched a special operation. On December 31, 2023, I came again following the security challenges in some parts of the state. In the last one week, the security situation has deteriorated, so I am here to charge all of you to end these happenings.
“As soldiers, your duty is to go after criminals. Do not spare anyone who constitutes a threat to the peace of this area. Your rules of engagement are clear and you must work within it. Do not take sides because if such is reported, anyone found wanting after investigation won’t be spared.”
Lagbaja also charged the troops to be professional and responsible in the discharge of their duties.
He called on residents of the state to cooperate with and support the military and other security agencies in their bid to address the current security challenges in the state.
He assured that the security personnel deployed to the state would impartially discharge their constitutional responsibility for the sake of peace and unity.
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