Safiu Kehinde
In the wake of recent unrests in Plateau State, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has warned its troops against taking sides in fight against insurgency.
Addressing the troop deployed to Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau where assailants killed at least 30 persons in Kwahaslalek village on Wednesday, Lagbaja charged them to work within the rules of engagement and bring the menace to an end.
“In the last one week, the security situation has deteriorated and so I am here to charge all of you to end these happenings.
“I charge you to go after the bad elements; as soldiers your duty is to go after criminals. Do not spare anyone who constitutes threat to the peace of this area.
“Your rules of engagement are clear and you must work within them. Do not take sides because if such is reported, anyone found wanting after investigation will not be spared,’’ he said
Lagbaja also tasked the troops to be professional and to be responsible in the discharge of their duties and urged them to be committed to bringing lasting peace to all troubled parts of Plateau.
The army boss dismissed the allegation making the rounds that soldiers were behind the recent killings in the state and advised the troops not to be swayed by the allegations.