Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has said more troops have been deployed on the Plateau to restore peace and security.
He stated this during an appearance on Channels Tv yesterday where he dismissed calls for self-defence following the Christmas Eve attack that left over 100 dead.
The COAS reeled out the Nigerian Army plans for 2024 for Plateau State.
He said, “The troops that we are deploying to Plateau, are on their way to the state now. This night or first thing tomorrow, they should be on the Plateau. We are sending more equipment to enhance the efficiency of the troops.”
Commenting on the call for self-help, he said, “I do not support that. I think that is a call for anarchy.”
He said the Nigerian Army is the people’s Army, adding that it is organised, equipped and funded with the country’s fund.
“When we have a situation where people freely use arms then it becomes a lawless state”.
He therefore, enjoined the people of plateau to work in synergy with the security agencies.
“They should report incidents and assist the military with information so that the military can respond as quickly as possible”.
He continued “the GOC brought up a situation where a chairman of a local government alleged that two communities were under attack and he sent troops there and it turned out to be false.
Troops have received false alarms and so many other reports that are not true. I just came back from Plateau; I did not get the report of a renewed attack from anywhere”.
The Army Chief said it was not in the place of the military to decide if a state of emergency would be declared or not in state.
“That is a political decision. I must tell you unequivocally that the military is equal to the task on the plateau. What happened was a politically, wrongly managed conflict that snowballed on Christmas Day and we are working to address it going forward”.
He said the troops have been directed to redouble their efforts to ensure that whatever gaps that exist in their deployment are adequately covered.
Lagbaja further promised Nigerians that the troops will redouble their efforts and will expand the frontiers of peace and stability across the country.
