Anxiety as residents flee Western Nasarawa over threats of rampaging terrorists

BY ORIAKU IJELE (with agency reports)

A viral video of families fleeing Odeni Gida area of Nasarawa State, has elicited tension across the Western Nasarawa axis, with citizens growing apprehensive of a possible attack by terrorists. The video which dominated my groups on the social media on Friday, showed many families, clutching their belongings and trekking long distances to avoid an impending attack by bandits, which in recent times have been on rampage in many Nigerian states.

Meanwhile, troops of Joint Task Force-Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP) have neutralised three suspected terrorists at Karem community of Wase Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.

Capt. Polycarp Oteh, the Media Officer of the operation disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Jos.

Oteh said that the feat followed an intelligence report on the movement of some suspected terrorists along the area.

“The momentum of this success in Karem community in Wase LGA where high-alert troops successfully disrupted a large-scale movement of terrorists traveling via motorcycles.

“Upon being engaged by troops, the insurgents fled under the pressure of sustained combat.

“In the engagement, three terrorists were successfully neutralised.

“This surge in operational efficiency follows the strategic deployment of a battalion plus specialised counter-terrorism troops, an initiative ordered by the Chief of Army Staff,” he said.

Oteh also disclosed that troops on Thursday arrested two suspects in connection with the security breach at Dutse Uku community of Jos North LGA.

He said that suspects, dressed in uniforms, were impersonating security personnel.

“These impostors, dressed in tactical black uniforms, were caught actively participating in the arson of residential properties and the orchestration of violence within the community.

“Those arrested are currently in custody while two persons who sustained gunshot wounds are currently in a medical facility and are in a stable condition.

“This pivotal arrest serves as a direct rebuttal to recent allegations suggesting military complicity in the Jos North unrest.

“It has effectively proven that the atrocities previously attributed to official personnel are being committed by criminal elements using deceptive attire to sow discord and defame the Armed Forces,” he said.