Operation Safe Haven, the special military task force responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau State and its environs, has refuted allegations that its soldiers shot innocent civilians during recent attacks in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a statement issued by the Media Officer of the operation, Maj. Samson Zhakom, on Monday in Jos, the allegations made by the Coalition of Bokkos Ethnic Youth Nationalities were dismissed as unfounded and aimed at tarnishing the image of the military and other security agencies in the state.
Zhakom emphasized that the security agencies deployed in Bokkos acted professionally in repelling the attacks and restoring normalcy during confrontations between different ethnic groups. He commended the troops for their continuous deployment, ensuring the protection of law-abiding citizens for over 72 hours.
Addressing claims regarding the use of sophisticated weapons by the alleged vigilante involved in the confrontation, Zhakom stated that 11 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition were discovered in the possession of the deceased militia, contradicting assertions that he was only using a Dane gun for defense.
Furthermore, Zhakom refuted the call for the removal of the military commander in Bokkos, describing it as malicious and aimed at undermining the morale of the troops. He attributed the petitioners’ desperation to the increased success of operations conducted under the commander’s leadership, which has hindered criminal activities in the area.