Military Denies Allegations of Firing on Civilians in Plateau State

The Operation Safe Haven, tasked with maintaining peace in Plateau State and its environs, refuted allegations of soldiers shooting innocent civilians during recent attacks in the Bokkos Local Government Area. Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of the operation, denied the claims in a statement issued on Monday in Jos. The Coalition of Bokkos Ethnic Youth Nationalities had accused soldiers of firing on civilians, further complicating the already vulnerable situation in the locality.

The media officer dismissed the accusations as baseless and aimed to besmirch the state’s military and other security agencies. Zhakom clarified that security forces acted professionally while quelling the attacks, refuting the group’s assertion of a confrontation with vigilantes. He commended the troops for their continuous deployment, ensuring the protection of law-abiding citizens amidst the interethnic conflicts on April 13, 2024.

Moreover, Zhakom highlighted the discovery of ammunition in possession of the deceased militia, countering claims of the individual being a mere vigilante. He criticized the call for removing the military commander in Bokkos as malicious, intended to demoralize troops executing their duties diligently. Despite attempts to undermine security agencies, Zhakom affirmed their commitment to proactive measures to prevent regional law and order breakdowns.