The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered troops of the 3 Division Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force Operation Safe Haven to adopt a more aggressive posture and decisively stamp out terrorists causing mayhem in Plateau and contiguous states.
Lagbaja handed down the stern order yesterday while addressing troops during an operational tour to Plateau following the recent disruption of peace in Mangu Local Council of Plateau State.
“Go hard on those disturbing the peace of the Plateau and neutralise any terrorist annihilating people and burning or destroying property and other economic valuables,” he said.
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, account for the prolonged duration of the conflicts and the escalation in its lethality. 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 said he was confident that the troops would be more resilient and leave no stone unturned in ensuring that peace and tranquility are restored on the Plateau and other troubled parts of the country.
Lagbaja, therefore, charged the troops to live up to the expectations of all peace loving and law abiding residents of Plateau State, harping that trust is earned and therefore they must do all within their means to maintain the trust of the people they are tasked to protect.
“Our Operations and activities must be in compliance with the rules of engagement and devoid of sentiments,” he emphasised.
Lagbaja noted that he was aware of the difficulties and challenges confronted by the troops as they legitimately carry out their duties, particularly some of the weighty allegations being touted against them.
He stated that even though one cannot completely rule out the possibility of one or two cases of misconduct during operations, 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 urged the troops to remain disciplined, dutiful, responsive and responsible.
