Soldiers Didn’t Kill Four Persons, Dump Bodies Inside Pond In Jos – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters has denied media reports that four
persons were killed by soldiers and their bodies dumped in a pond
in Jos during clampdown on looters of private properties in the
state.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John
Enenche, in a statement on Saturday described such reports as
malicious and mischievous.

Enenche explained that the soldiers attached to the Special Task
Force (STF), Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), were never engaged in any
professional misconduct in preventing criminals from perpetrating
crimes in the state.

He said that troops, in an attempt to stop hoodlums from looting
the residence of the former Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, on October 25, only arrested
the perpetrators.

According to him, the hoodlums and vandals invaded the private
property of the former Speaker at Lamingo, with a view to looting
it.

“Consequently, troops of the STF, OPSH, which are saddled with
the responsibility of maintaining peace and tranquility in Plateau
State and environs, were immediately deployed to bring the
situation under control.

“Guided by extant rules of engagement and standing operating
procedures for such situations, the highly professional troops
arrived at the residence and apprehended a total number of 30
looters.

“Additionally, a total of 114 hoodlums, comprising 21 females
and 93 males, were apprehended for looting,’’ he said.

He recalled that headquarters’ Operation Safe Haven briefed the
press on the arrests which was widely reported in various main
stream and online media.

“It is worthy to mention that the timely intervention of our
troops at the residence of the former Speaker ensured that the
situation was nipped in the bud.

“Thus, the story is a malicious and mischievous publication
against the Nigerian Military and Operation Safe Haven in
particular, that has commendably fostered peace in Plateau State,”
he said.

Enenche also said that 41 suspected hoodlum, comprising six
females and 35 males, were also arrested and thereafter released
after profiling.

“One, therefore, wonders where there was shooting for a
situation that was managed professionally to bring the situation
under control.

“Consequently, the Defence Headquarters wishes to commend the
highly professional troops of Operation Safe Haven for their
dedication to duty.

“Members of the general public are also assured of their safety
and are encouraged to go about their lawful activities without any
fear.

“Additionally, it is always advisable for media organisations to
verify their facts before rushing to publish untrue and unverified
stories,’’ he said.

The Defence Headquarters has denied media reports that four
persons were killed by soldiers and their bodies dumped in a pond
in Jos during clampdown on looters of private properties in the
state.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John
Enenche, in a statement on Saturday described such reports as
malicious and mischievous.

Enenche explained that the soldiers attached to the Special Task
Force (STF), Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), were never engaged in any
professional misconduct in preventing criminals from perpetrating
crimes in the state.

He said that troops, in an attempt to stop hoodlums from looting
the residence of the former Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, on October 25, only arrested
the perpetrators.

According to him, the hoodlums and vandals invaded the private
property of the former Speaker at Lamingo, with a view to looting
it.

“Consequently, troops of the STF, OPSH, which are saddled with
the responsibility of maintaining peace and tranquility in Plateau
State and environs, were immediately deployed to bring the
situation under control.

“Guided by extant rules of engagement and standing operating
procedures for such situations, the highly professional troops
arrived at the residence and apprehended a total number of 30
looters.

“Additionally, a total of 114 hoodlums, comprising 21 females
and 93 males, were apprehended for looting,’’ he said.

He recalled that headquarters’ Operation Safe Haven briefed the
press on the arrests which was widely reported in various main
stream and online media.

“It is worthy to mention that the timely intervention of our
troops at the residence of the former Speaker ensured that the
situation was nipped in the bud.

“Thus, the story is a malicious and mischievous publication
against the Nigerian Military and Operation Safe Haven in
particular, that has commendably fostered peace in Plateau State,”
he said.

Enenche also said that 41 suspected hoodlum, comprising six
females and 35 males, were also arrested and thereafter released
after profiling.

“One, therefore, wonders where there was shooting for a
situation that was managed professionally to bring the situation
under control.

“Consequently, the Defence Headquarters wishes to commend the
highly professional troops of Operation Safe Haven for their
dedication to duty.

“Members of the general public are also assured of their safety
and are encouraged to go about their lawful activities without any
fear.

“Additionally, it is always advisable for media organisations to
verify their facts before rushing to publish untrue and unverified
stories,’’ he said.