A total of 346 individuals lost their lives, while 18,751 people were displaced in Plateau
According to the Gideon & Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, a staggering total of 346 individuals have reportedly lost their lives within a span of three months across eight local councils in Plateau State. The organization further revealed that out of this figure, more than 200 lives were tragically taken due to sustained violent attacks specifically in Mangu Local Council as of July 8, 2023.
Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, the Founder and Executive Director of the foundation, shared these distressing numbers in a recent statement. In addition to the alarming death toll, Dr. Para-Mallam also disclosed that approximately 18,751 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are currently residing in 14 camps scattered throughout Plateau, resulting from the period between April 17 and July 10, 2023.
Providing a breakdown of the statistics, the reverend revealed that in Bokkos, 17 people lost their lives, while Mangu witnessed the highest casualties with 234 fatalities. Additionally, Barkin Ladi reported 39 deaths, Riyom had 36, Jos North and Mikang both recorded five each, and Bassa reported a single fatality.
The reverend also stated that the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Local Church Councils (LCCs) currently accommodate 14 IDP camps. These camps house a total of 2,081 widows and 6,066 under-five orphans. Furthermore, there are 1,057 elderly individuals, along with 828 teenagers and adult orphans.
The reverend emphasized that a total of 6,603 households have been affected by these devastating attacks.
In a significant development, a Combat Team from Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) successfully neutralized no fewer than three suspected bandits who were believed to be instigators of unrest in Mangu Local Council of Plateau State. The operation took place along the Mangu-Pushit road. Some other individuals managed to escape but sustained gunshot wounds.
Following the successful ambush and elimination of the bandits, the troops seized three AK-47 rifles, along with 14 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition. They also recovered a motorcycle and a constabulary police identity card.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer (MIO), Capt. Oya James, it was highlighted that Maj-Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, the OPSH Commander/General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Armoured Division, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos, had temporarily relocated the command headquarters to Mangu. The statement emphasized that the Army is firmly committed to fulfilling its duties within the boundaries of the law. It further emphasized that the Army will continue to demonstrate resolve, courage, decisiveness, and fairness.
Meanwhile, Maj-Gen. Gold Chibuisi, the newly appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), expressed his determination that his troops will dedicate their utmost efforts to successfully conclude the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
He highlighted that the Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region have witnessed the dispersal of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.
Addressing the situation during the handover ceremony in Maiduguri, Borno State, Maj-Gen. Gold Chibuisi stated that the dispersion of these terrorists has significantly hindered their operational freedom in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. As a result, he called upon security forces to maintain the momentum in eliminating the remaining terrorist elements, thereby restoring peace to the North East region.
This statement came as Maj-Gen. Chibuisi assumed command, taking over from Maj-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, who has been redeployed to lead the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Ndjamena, Chad.
During the handover, Ali addressed the security agents, emphasizing the importance of overcoming the challenge of demining Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the Lake Chad region, which requires the expertise of the Explosives Ordnance Department (EOD).
In addition to tackling the IED challenge, Ali stated that the troops will maintain their pressure on the terrorists, with the objective of ending the war by the end of this year. He reminded the officers and soldiers of the significance of being effective leaders and followers on the frontlines in the Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region.
Ali encouraged Chibuisi to continue building upon the achievements of the troops in the affected states. Furthermore, he mentioned that the intensified counter-insurgency operations led to over 100,053 terrorists and their families surrendering to the Army.
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