CDS deploys additional Special Forces to Plateau, as U.S. condemns killings; Osinbajo says ‘perpetrators won’t go unpunished’

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Olonisakin, has authorised the deployment of additional Special Forces to Plateau State to beef up the strength of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), following Sunday’s killing in the state.
According to a statement by Brig.-Gen John Agim, the Acting Director, Defence Information, the additional troops have arrived in Jos and have been briefed by the Commander of the operation, Major-General A.M. Atolagbe.
Agim assured the people of the state of the readiness of the armed forces to protect and ensure their safety.
Meanwhile,  Olonisakin  warned misguided youths who had offered themselves to be used as thugs that anyone apprehended would receive the full weight of the law.
“Herdsmen and farmers are also warned not to take laws into their hands; rather suspected persons should be reported promptly to security agencies,” he added.
Gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, on Sunday attacked villages in Riyon Local Government Area, killed many and destroyed property.
The police confirmed 86 persons dead, while the state government imposed a curfew in the affected areas to check the escalation of the crisis.
Plateau has witnessed series of crises involving farmers and herdsmen over the years and the government has convoked peace and reconciliation for a apart from adopting strict security measures to curtail the damage.
Meanwhile, the United States (U.S.) has strongly condemned the attacks in Plateau State.
The U.S., in a statement by Ms Heather Nauert, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, said the perpetrators of the attacks should be brought to justice.
“The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing of civilians and destruction of property in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region over the weekend.
“We are concerned by the recent increase in armed violence against civilians and call on all political and community leaders to lend their voices to peace and to work together to find lasting solutions to these rural conflicts.
“We join President Buhari and others in sending our deepest condolences to the affected communities, and in the desire to see the perpetrators brought to justice and to prevent further violence,” Nauert said.
According Mr Terna Tyopev, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Plateau, 50 houses, two cars and 15 motorcycles were burnt in the attacks by herders.
The herdsmen were reported to have invaded Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area where the deaths occurred.
The Plateau State Government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South local government areas following the attacks.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday, visited the state to assess the situation.
While interacting with leaders in the state, he said perpetrators of the heinous crime would not only be arrested but be made to face justice.
He said that Special Forces have been deployed to restore peace in the state.
“The Inspector General of Police has deployed more personnel to Plateau and the Chief of Defence Staff has announced this morning that Special Forces will be deployed to Plateau.
“The Special Forces would complement the Operation Safe Haven’s effort that has been keeping peace in the state,” he said.
The vice president expressed sadness over the development.
“The president has said in his statement that whatever it takes, those that committed the heinous crime will not only be arrested but made to publicly face justice,” he said.
He said that the Federal Government was taken aback because in the last three years, Plateau had become an example of how to restore peace.
Osinbajo urged all leaders to show restraint in what they say and do.
According to him, the leaders should avoid things that would create situations that would be beyond control.
Governor Simon Lalong, in an address, condoled with the families of those who lost loved ones and property.
Lalong said that he was particularly sad with the development because when he came on board, the Beroms and Fulanis signed a pact and made some recommendations on how to stay and live together.
According to him, some of the recommendations are being worked on to be passed into law.
He thanked the Federal Government for the prompt intervention and expressed optimism that the Federal Government would help the state to restore peace in the state.