Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru,
who announced the deployment at a briefing on Wednesday, said the troops
would be deployed from a battalion of the Nigerian Army.
The militia group had earlier in the year, ambushed and killed no
fewer than 49 policemen and 10 officers of the State Security Service
(SSS) at Lakyo village during a joint reconnaissance exercise.
Members of the militia also inflicted heavy casualties on the
civilian population, particularly people who did not belong to their
ethnic group, or those perceived to be against their traditional
beliefs.
Ever since, the security situation in the state has continued to take
a frightening dimension, with prospects of the violence spreading to
neighbouring states.
“Due to the heightened security situation in Nasarawa State, the
Federal Government has ordered the deployment of Nigerian Army troops in
order to prevent further escalation of the violence and its spread to
other parts of the state.
“It is gratifying to note that the deployment of Nigerian Army troops
in the violence prone area has helped in curbing the spread of violence
by the Ombatse and other ethnic militia groups in Nasarawa State. The
Federal Government and the Nasarawa State government are exploring other
ways of ensuring quick return to normalcy,” Gen. Attahiru stated.
The Army spokesman also said nine officers and men are currently
being tried in a General Court Martial for offenses ranging from murder,
manslaughter, issuing threats and use of abusive or provocative
language.
According to him, some of the soldiers were also being tried for
fighting, quarreling, disobedience and other tendencies capable of
threatening established order.
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