Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have neutralised an armed local militia member after coming under heavy gunfire during a response to a reported alleged militia attack in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred on Sunday, Aug. 9, amid reports of suspicious movements around the bushes linking Kantoma, Bwom and Jakatai communities.

According to sources, troops deployed at Maraban Kantoma received a distress call from local youth leaders at about 3:51 p.m. over the movement of unidentified persons around the adjoining bushes.

The report was subsequently followed by information that armed local militia members had attacked Rangai community in Mangu Halle District, firing sporadically.

Troops from the NYSC camp immediately responded to the distress call and engaged the attackers.

At about the same time, a joint clearance and show-of-force team under Operation RAINBOW, led by the Coordinator, was travelling from Mangun towards Jos when locals at Jakatai reportedly stopped the team and alerted them to the developing security situation.

The team promptly diverted and moved into the Jakatai area to confront the militia elements. Consequently, the troops operating from the Kantoma axis came under heavy gunfire from the local armed elements using fabricated Ak47 riffles, prompting them to respond with superior firepower.

The joint clearance team engaged the militia members, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.

During the exchange of gunfire, one armed local militia was reportedly neutralised by personnel of the joint clearance team inside Jakatai community while others reportedly fled in different directions. Two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, were recovered by the troops. One from the nutrialsized attacker and another from the fleeing criminals.

The attacker was subsequently deposited at the Barkin Ladi General Hospital mortuary while the security team continued its movement towards Jos with no further attack reported.

The immediate response of the troops at Rangai prevented the violence from spreading to neighbouring communities.

However, shortly after repelling the attack, what followed was civil disturbances in Jakatai as youths and women wielding dangerous weapons from the community reportedly barricaded the Mangu-Jos Highway, disrupting the free movement of traffic and causing a temporary breakdown of law and order.

In response, the Commander, Sector 8, directed the immediate reopening of the highway and dispersal of the crowd. The troops subsequently conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the Rangai general area.

The incident draw attention to the volatile security environment in parts of Plateau State, where troops who are meant to protect communities come under fire by militia within the same communities.

Security forces are expected to sustain patrols, clearance operations and engagement with community leaders to prevent further escalation and maintain peace across Mangu and adjoining areas. (Zagazola)

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