As part of efforts to end the incessant killings in in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, the Nigeria Army on Saturday launched a new military operation code-named Operation Hakorin Damisa IV.
This was made known by the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, who said Hakorin Damisa means Leopard’s teeth when translated.
Lagbaja said the aim was specifically to end the spate of attacks and killings in the LGA and other parts of the state.
After addressing troops deployed to carry out Operation Hakorin Damisa, the Chief of Army Staff moved to a Pilot Primary school in the community to have a meeting with the stakeholders
In the last two months, more than 300 persons had been killed in Mangu LGA and the neighboring communities following a series of attacks by gunmen.
While reacting to the killing of an eight-month-old infant in the recent violence in Plateau and Benue states, north-central Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to fish out the masterminds of the killings, insisting that they be made to face the full wrath of the law.
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“It is most unfortunate that in this orgy of violence, an innocent eight-month-old baby in Farin Lamba community of Vwang District, Jos South Local Government, died in a conflict she knew nothing about,” a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake read.
In the statement titled ‘Plateau killings: we must break this cycle of violence,’ President Tinubu expressed sadness and grief over the incident, condemning the killings in Mangu and parts of Benue State.
The President who described the festering reprisal attacks as “needless and “avoidable” said, “A major consequence of perennial conflict is always the tragic loss of innocent lives.”
“To build virile, peaceful, and prosperous communities demand tolerance and forgiveness for every perceived wrongdoing,” he added.
To rebuild trust and restore harmony to these conflict areas, President Tinubu urged community leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, socio-cultural organisations as well as the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and the Christian Association of Nigeria to work together to help foster genuine and long-lasting peace.
“While reaffirming his government’s strong determination to stamp out violent crimes and all forms of criminalities everywhere in Nigeria, the President has directed security agencies to fish out the masterminds of the dastardly acts to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement read.