TROOPS of the Nigerian Army, under Operation Enduring Peace, have commenced a comprehensive stop-and-search exercise across the Jos metropolis in Plateau State, following a recent attack in Jos North in which over 28 people were killed and more than 50 others injured.
A statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Oteh, said the exercise, which began on Friday, is part of a broader mandate to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.
According to the statement, the heightened security presence has already yielded results, as troops intercepted and arrested two suspects and recovered one fabricated AK-47 rifle, four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and one pump-action gun.
It explained that the arrests and recoveries were made during targeted operations across key flashpoints and transit routes, including Jos North and Jos South, as well as areas such as Dadinkowa, Old Airport Junction, Tudun Wada, and the state low-cost housing estate.
The statement added that, in a related development, troops responded swiftly to a distress call over sporadic shooting in the Yelwa Cattle Market area of Shendam, where unidentified gunmen were forced to retreat into surrounding bushes under superior tactical pressure.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the deployment of 850 additional troops to crisis-ridden Plateau State, to contain the escalating security situation.
The development was after Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, had said both residents and security personnel were caught unawares during the recent deadly attack in Jos, describing the incident as unexpected following a prolonged period of relative peace.
The governor made the remarks on Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he highlighted the circumstances surrounding the assault.
“As a matter of fact, the community was blindsided. The security personnel were also caught off guard because of the relative peace we have enjoyed, particularly in the last 10 months to one year. So nobody envisaged this kind of thing, and people came out in their numbers as they usually do to relax on a Sunday evening,” he said.
However, a statement by Captain Media Information Officer Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Chinonso Polycarpoteh, noted that the immediate deployment of additional troops will strengthen ongoing operations.
“The reinforcement is aimed at supporting troops already on ground in de-escalating tensions and restoring law and order across affected areas of the state”, the statement read in part.
While addressing troops at the Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE in Jos, the COAS charged them to remain professional, disciplined, and firm in dealing with criminal elements threatening the peace and security of law-abiding citizens.
He assured the personnel that adequate logistics and combat enablers have been provided to ensure the effective execution of their mission.