Don’t take laws into your hands, army warns Plateau residents

Following worsening insecurity in Plateau, the special task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), has warned residents against taking the law into their hands in the guise of self-defense.

The Plateau house of assembly had asked residents to defend themselves against killers in the state.

Scores of people have been killed while many other residents have sustained varying degrees of injuries following a recent spike in attacks in the state.

But Ishaku Takwa, the media officer of the task force, in a statement on Monday, faulted “the consistent calls” on residents to defend themselves.

Takwa said such calls would escalate the security challenges bedeviling the state.

“We have noted several reports in the media by some highly placed individuals calling on law-abiding citizens of Plateau to resort to defending themselves in the face of the security challenges experienced in the state,” he said.

“We wish to assure the good people of the state that OPSH is committed to protecting the lives and property of all.

“We have improved on our responses to distress calls and several attacks were prevented from happening lately.

“These successes were possible due to the trust and provision of timely and credible information from the good people of the state.

“We, therefore, urge law-abiding citizens of the state not to take laws into their hands but to continue to provide us with such information to enable us protect communities from attacks.”

He also enjoined residents to continue to give support to security agencies toward restoring lasting peace and security in the state.

Takwa also advised the people to shun violence, hatred and encouraged them to tolerate one another for peace to reign.