Three soldiers killed in Plateau…military operations begin

From Ron Jacob, Jos.
The inexplicable blood-letting on the Plateau continued Friday with the killing of three soldiers in Fan district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
But Saturday, the Nigerian Army began an operation of sweeping through communities in Barkin Ladi to free them of bandits. The operation is expected to spread to the seven local government areas of Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Mangu, and Bokkos .
Fulani militia have been fingered for most of the attacks, but the community to community sweep by troops, it was gathered, is intended to fish and flush out bandits from their hideouts among the general populace.
Spokesman for the Special Task Force, Major Umar Adams, confirmed the “military activities” to rid the communities of criminal elements adding that the activities will go round the troubled seven councils in the State.
Adams confirmed the killing of three soldiers and lamented the killing of innocents by bandits. He added that the military action is meant to restore permanent peace all over Plateau State.
Furthermore, the army spokesman called on members of the public to report any suspicious movements to the security forces.
In the last two weeks, tens of lives have been lost to a rampaging group of militia who spring surprise attacks and melt away into the bushes and nearby communities.
In a particularly gory killing, a pastor, his wife and three children were burnt to death in their home.
A source told Everyday.ng that in one of the raids to remove criminal elements from the midst of the people, structures were demolished to foundation level by angry soldiers.