Gunmen have killed a soldier and carted away two weapons after attacking troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) at a checkpoint in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack occurred at about 8pm on Saturday at the Sopp checkpoint in Ungwan Boka, where troops were keeping vigil.
LEADERSHIP gathered from security sources that the assailants opened fire on the troops from different directions, triggering a gun battle before they fled into the surrounding bushes.
The sources said the troops were on duty at the checkpoint when the gunmen launched the attack.
“The attack occurred while the troops were keeping vigil at the checkpoint. The gunmen opened fire from different directions, forcing the troops to engage them in a gun battle,” the sources said.
The spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, confirmed the incident to LEADERSHIP in Jos.
He described the attack as deliberate and unprovoked, adding that troops had restored normalcy in the area and were pursuing the perpetrators.
“It was a deliberate and unprovoked attack on troops at Sopp Check Point, Ungwan Boka in Riyom Local Government Area,” Oteh said.
He said troops were maintaining an aggressive pursuit of the attackers to apprehend them and recover the stolen weapons.
“The situation remains under control, while troops continue to sustain heightened vigilance to prevent any further security breach and reassure residents of their safety,” he added.
Oteh urged residents to remain calm, continue their lawful activities and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in their efforts to track down the attackers.
