We Will Avenge Killing of Our Soldiers in Plateau, GOC Vows

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division, Jos, Nigerian Army and Commander Special Task Force (STF) in Plateau,  Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, has vowed that the command will take decisive action to avenge and seek justice for three operatives who were brutally killed in Plateau recently.

Speaking at the STF headquarters in Jos during the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr celebration organised for the troops,  Abubakar expressed his determination to honour the memory of the fallen colleagues who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

He underscored the importance of remembering their bravery and assured that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would face justice.

While lamenting the brutal manner in which the two soldiers and a police inspector were murdered in Mangu and Barkin Ladi local government areas of the state, the Army General said:, “I want to encourage you to always remember our gallant departed colleagues who paid the ultimate price in the discharge of their duties.

“Specifically, last month alone, three of our colleagues were gruesomely murdered, two soldiers and one  police inspector while discharging their constitutional mandate between Mangu and Barkin Ladi  local government areas of the state.

“I have sworn not to rest until all those responsible are brought to justice. Thankfully, we have recovered their weapons and already arrested most of the perpetrators that are responsible, some as far away as Bauchi.”

He commended the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Police Force, and various security agencies in maintaining peace and security in the state.

Urging the personnel to remain focused on eradicating security threats like isolated killings, kidnapping, and ethno-religious crises,  Abubakar assured the troops of continued support from the STF (Operation Safe Haven), Army and Defence headquarters in terms of leadership, welfare, and logistics for successful operations.

He said: “Your professionalism, courage and determination to achieve our mandates, especially on the Plateau is worthy of note and highly appreciated. While I acknowledge and applaud your efforts, I urge you not to rest but to remain focused in your task.

“To consolidate the gains of all our recent achievements, we must intensify our efforts to completely eradicate all acts of isolated killings, kidnapping, farmers herders clashes, cattle rustling, as well as cattle poisoning, farm destruction and ethno religious crisis, among all other forms of security threats within our joint operations area.

“I want to reassure you once again that headquarters of Operations, Safe Haven, as well as both the Army headquarters and the Defence headquarters, will do all that is necessary to provide you with the requisite leadership, welfare and logistics to motivate you for effective and successful conduct of our operations.”