Nigerian Army begins operation to stop clashes in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa

Nigeria Army

The operation is aimed at putting an end to criminal activities in the states.

The Nigerian Army on Monday said it has started a major operation in three states in the North Central region of Nigeria.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, said the operation is aimed at putting an end to criminal activities in the states.

The three states include: Nassarawa, Plateau and Benue states.

Mr. Olukolade said troops have already been deployed to the states to launch offensive attack to end the recent killings and property destruction going on there.

He said the Internal Security Operations will focus on capturing and neutralizing all criminal hideouts. He said the Nigerian Air Force, Police and other security agencies are also participating in the operation designed to restore peace in the affected states.

Mr. Olukolade however, admonished residents of the states to cooperate with the security operatives by providing timely and useful information to facilitate the operation.

Nassarawa, Benue and Plateau states have recently witnessed clashes between herdsmen and farmers as well as communal clashes, leading to destruction of lives and property.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Friday held a meeting with the Miyetti Allah Kutal Hore, an association of Fulani herdsmen, to resolve the recent herdsmen-farmers clashes.

The meeting, Mr. Abubakar said was to help find a lasting solution to the consistent clashes.

Also in October 2013, the then Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone 4, Michael Zuokumor, in same effort charged Police Commissioners under his zone which included: Nassarawa, Benue and Plateau, to wake up to their responsibilities of protecting lives and property.

Nigerian Army begins operation to stop clashes in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa.