Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has conducted an operational visit to Plateau State’s problematic Mangu local government area to assess the situation.
The Army Chief launched Operation Hakorin Damisa 4 in the area to restore total peace to the various Communities that have been subjected to recent attacks and killings.
The Army Chief is in Mangu local Council following violent attacks and killings that continue unabated despite several efforts to tackle the challenge in recent times.
His first Port of call was the forward base operation Headquarters in Mangu, where he was briefed on the situation in the area.
He then launched Operation Hakorin Damisa Special Forces 4.
Major General Taoreed Lagbaja applauded the troops for restoring normalcy in some of the Crisis Communities in just a few days of their deployment to the crisis areas.
He urged them to sustain the efforts professionally and also maintain rules of engagement.
The COAS then proceeded to the pilot Primary school temporary IDP camp, where he held a town hall meeting with leaders of the Mwaghavul development association and that of the Fulani Community.
Representatives of both groups were given time to talk about their challenges and the way forward.
The Mwaghavul development association is not happy that some cattle arrested while illegally grazing on farmlands were released to their owners without proper compensation.
TVC News crew sought to hear from the leadership of the Fulani Communities on the authenticity of the claim by the MDA president on the arrested cattle and their release.
The Chief of Army Staff, while responding to issues raised, assured that the troops deployed are going to do their mandate professionally without bias or taking sides.
He asserted that total normalcy will be restored to all troubled Communities in Mangu and environs, but warned perpetrators from both sides to submit all arms illegally used by youths in the area, as anybody caught with them will be shot and killed by the troops.
The event ended with a commitment to promote peaceful coexistence among the two warring Communities by their leaders.
