Military denies soldiers killing four persons, dumping bodies inside Plateau pond

The Defence Headquarters has denied reports that soldiers killed four persons and dumped their bodies in a pond in Jos during a clampdown on looters of some private property in the state.

It spoke through the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, in a statement.

Enenche said soldiers attached to the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven were never engaged in any professional misconduct in preventing criminals from perpetrating crime in the state.

He said that troops in an attempt to stop hoodlums from looting the residence of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on October 25, only arrested the perpetrators.

According to him, the hoodlums and vandals invaded the private property of the former Speaker at Lamingo, with a view to looting it.

He said, “Consequently, troops of the STF, OPSH, which are saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and tranquility in Plateau State and environs were immediately deployed to bring the situation under control.

“Guided by extant Rules of Engagement and Standing Operating Procedures for such situations, the highly professional troops arrived at the residence and apprehended a total number of 30 looters.

“Additionally, a total of 114 hoodlums comprising 21 females and 93 males were apprehended for looting.”

He also said the intervention of the troops at the residence of the former speaker prevented the hoodlums from looting the place.

“Thus, the story is a malicious and mischievous publication against the Nigerian military and Operation Safe Haven in particular, that has commendably fostered peace in Plateau State.”

Enenche also disclosed that 41 suspected hoodlums comprising six females and 35 males were also arrested and thereafter released after profiling.