Troops neutralise armed militia in Plateau after failed escape attempt

Troops neutralise armed militia in Plateau after failed escape attempt

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have neutralised an armed militia in Plateau State after he attempted to disarm a soldier during an operation.

Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Sept. 5 during a follow-up operation to a hideout in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

A day earlier, on Sept. 4, troops had arrested the militia at Kaskra with an AK-47 rifle and 11 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to involvement in several criminal activities within Barkin Ladi and volunteered to lead troops to the hideout of his cohorts to recover weapons.

Sources said that while the search was ongoing at the hideout, the militia made a desperate attempt to snatch a soldier’s rifle in order to escape.

“He was swiftly overpowered and neutralised by the troops in the process,” one of the sources said.

The remains of the deceased suspect were deposited at a hospital morgue, while follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices and recover more weapons.

The sources reaffirmed military’s commitment to sustain the momentum against armed militias and other criminal elements in Plateau, stressing that no effort would be spared in restoring peace and stability across the Joint Operations Area.

Troops neutralise armed militia in Plateau after failed escape attempt