The Nigerian military has provided explanations as to why troops could not stop the coordinated attacks on Plateau communities which led to the killing of over 200 people.
Addressing journalists on the activities of troops across the country in 2023, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Buba Edward, said that the Bokkos and Barkin Ladi areas of Plateau State spanned about 2,315 square kilometres with over 350 villages, mostly dispersed.
He noted that while troops had intervened in other communities, the damage was done before they arrived Bakkos and Barkin Ladi.
“The distance between some of these villages and troops’ locations is over 90 kilometres and sometimes difficult to access because of the rugged terrain which is mostly inaccessible to vehicles. Thus, affecting the reaction time to incidents, except when there is credible intelligence before the attack,” Edward said on Friday, December 29.
“On the night of 23 December 2023, over 100 marauding armed militant herders suspected to be mercenaries, carried out a series of unprovoked attacks from multiple fronts on Kambarpeli village in the Bokkos LGA of Plateau State while the locals were asleep. The militants unleashed mayhem on the villagers before the arrival of troops to the location.
“Similarly, on 24 December 2023, at about 1900 hrs, troops received a total of 36 distress calls from diverse locations simultaneously.
“The distress calls reported a series of coordinated attacks by armed militant herders on isolated villages in Bokkos and part of Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State.
“Troops responded to the calls and were able to intervene in 19 villages forcing the militants to withdraw. Unfortunately, the havoc had been committed before troops arrived at the other villages,“ he noted.
In response to the letters notifying residents of a potential attack, Buba vowed that such an incident would never occur again in the state.
He said: “Attacks on Plateau will never repeat itself. We have put modalities in place to ensure that whatever limited us the last time that did not allow us to get to some of these locations on time has been eliminated. We are aware of the letters and we are doing something. We are seriously going after those who perpetrated the crime.”
Nigeria is now like animal farm where the stronger animals kill others at will. survival of the fittest. I understand that the soldiers only came in the killing field to make the killer herders retreat and not to arrest them or even kill them as they have massacred lots of villagers.
Since they are not unknown gun men or women, the Nigeria security agency will be able to apprehend this act of genocide.
Since they are not unknown gun men or women, the Nigeria security agency will be able to apprehend those criminal responsible for this act of genocide.
I thought there was supposed to be a strategic planning and planting of men (Military men) at those strategic positions and areas? was anyone in a better position than the military to have informed them about unseen acts like this??
We have been failed again.
When you were first posted to a place and you noticed there are hindrances to effective operation, Why did you not complain?? And if you’d complained but the authorities hasn’t responded to your call, then spell it out so people would know who should be question
Excuses series… this country cannot afford to stop failing since failing is our hubby.
While IDF is busy fighting, defending their citizens… Nigeria Army is busy sharing ranks base on quota system but not on merit… and yet it’s all our fault since we failed to call them on time and also live in inaccessible localities.
Lord have mercy!!!…
These excuses are flimsy in a country were the Military has an intelligent structure or network,where there are many other paramilitary intelligent networks like the DSS and others, why was there no intelligent report on the planned attack,are they paid just to wear suits and sit in the office and in their houses?
The crisis is more of reprisal. enough is enough, lets forgive and forget, and allow peace to reign supreme.