No Troops, Police Clash In Mangu – Task Force

The Special Task Force “Operation Safe Haven” in charge of security in Plateau, Bauchi and some parts of Kaduna State has condemned a viral video alleging that soldiers attacked a police post in Mangu local government area of Plateau State.

The task force said it was important to clarify that the video was nothing more than a malicious and deliberate attempt by troublemakers to undermine the collaborative relationship between the two security agencies.

In a statement issued in Jos by the task force media relations officer, Captain Oya James, he said to provide the accurate sequence of events, troops who were enforcing the curfew declared by the state government in Mangu, came across two men and a lady in front of a hotel.

He said these two men, who were in civil dress, failed to identify themselves as police officers or provide any justification for being outside during the curfew hours, adding that when the troops requested that they comply with the curfew.

According to him, a minor misunderstanding arose, leading to the men in civil dress later identified as police personnel mobilising their colleagues who subsequently fired teargas canisters at the troops.

According to the statement, the swift intervention of the commander of the troops on the ground and the divisional police officer (DPO) in Mangu, led to the amicable resolution of the situation within a few minutes.

Jame said, “Therefore, we would like to make it abundantly clear that the viral video which was made long after troops left the scene suggesting that troops invaded a police station in Mangu and released days after the incident is the work of individuals seeking to cause discord between the military and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Plateau State with the aim of disrupting the harmonious relationship that exists while promoting their own agenda”.