JUST IN: Soldiers kill three suspected terrorists in Plateau state
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have killed three suspected terrorists during operations in Plateau State.
In a statement on Friday, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, media information officer of the joint task force, said the operations took place in Jos North Local Government Area and Wase Local Government Area.
Oteh said troops responded to a distress call over sporadic gunshots in the Dutse Uku area of Jos North at about 11:45 pm on Thursday.
According to him, soldiers intercepted two individuals dressed in black tactical uniforms who were allegedly involved in arson and attacks on residential buildings.
He said: “Vigilant troops responding to a distress call on sporadic shooting at Dutse Uku general area intercepted and apprehended two individuals masquerading as security operatives.
“These impostors, dressed in tactical black uniforms, were caught actively participating in the arson of residential properties and the orchestration of violence within the community.”
He added that two persons who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident were evacuated to a medical facility by troops and are in stable condition.
The military officer said the arrest contradicts allegations that security personnel were involved in the unrest in Jos North.
“This pivotal arrest serves as a direct rebuttal to recent allegations suggesting military complicity in the Jos North unrest.
“It effectively proves that the atrocities previously attributed to official personnel are being committed by criminal elements using deceptive attire to sow discord and defame the armed forces.
“The momentum of this success extended into Karem in Wase local government area, where high-alert troops successfully disrupted a large-scale movement of terrorists travelling via motorcycles,” he said.
Oteh said the development followed the deployment of additional counter-terrorism troops to the state by the chief of army staff.
“This surge in operational efficiency follows the strategic deployment of a battalion plus specialised counter-terrorism troops,” he said.
