The Military Task Force mandated to restore peace in Plateau State has escaped being ambushed by terrorists, terrorising Mangu Local Government Area of the State.
The taskforce code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), said troops were deceived by a distress call and while approaching the scene of the supposed troubled area maneuvered the ambush and neutralised three terrorists suspected to be those who have been killing innocent residents of Mangu community.
Spokesman of the taskforce, Captain James Oya disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in a statement, adding that the OPSH is ready to resist any threat that is capable of preventing its operational activities in Mangu.
Recall that Mangu LGA of the State has been on the news since April 2023, for the incessant killings going on in that region, where hundred of people have been killed by suspected Fulani bandits.
The new General Officer Commanding (GOC), and Commander Operation Safe Haven, Maj. -Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar who resumed office last week relocated to Mangu as a result of the renewed killings which occurred last Saturday night.
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However, according to the statement by Captain Oya, he said: “A Combat Team from Operation SAFE HAVEN whilst responding to a distress call in Mangu LGA, 12 July 2023 were ambushed along Road Mangun – Pushit – Mangu by a group of bandits believed to be amongst the miscreants fermenting trouble in Mangu LGA.
“Troops professionally and decisively cleared the ambush neutralising 3 of the bandits in the process and recovered 3 x AK 47 Rifles,14 rounds of 7.62 Special rounds, 1 x Motorcycle and a Constabulary Police ID card while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“The Commander Operations SAFE HAVEN and General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, Major General AE Abubakar reiterated that the Nigerian Army remains resolute in the discharge of its mandate within the ambits of the law and would continue to be firm, bold, decisive and just.
“He said that the protection of lives and property of citizens remains paramount and that with the redeployment of his Headquarters to Mangu LGA, all distress calls would be responded to promptly as several Combat Teams have been dispatched to remote areas in the Local Government for enhanced rapid response”, the statement said.