Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has arrived in Mangu Local Government in Plateau State on Saturday to personally assess the aftermath of recent attacks and killings in the area. The visit comes amidst allegations that military operatives compromised their operation against the locals, as claimed by the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Mangu.
Timothy Daluk, the CAN Chairman in Mangu, had accused the military personnel of supporting a group responsible for attacking the people in the area. In a viral video, Daluk alleged that the military sent people away, allowing gunmen to destroy their properties.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja is expected to address the serious allegations brought against the military operation in Mangu and ascertain the true nature of events. The Chief of Army Staff’s visit follows a recent attack in Mangu Local Government Area, where about 30 people were killed, and properties were destroyed.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied the accusations, with the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, describing them as baseless. The DHQ issued a statement on Thursday refuting claims that military personnel supported gunmen in the attacks.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s visit aims to provide clarity on the situation, address concerns raised by the local community, and ensure an accurate assessment of the events that transpired in Mangu.