The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has cited the difficult terrain and other factors as the reasons behind the delayed response of troops during the recent attacks in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The attacks, which took place on Sunday, resulted in the tragic loss of 150 lives, with over 10,000 individuals displaced from their homes.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, in an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, acknowledged that the response to the attacks could have been more effective. Governor Mutfwang expressed, “I wouldn’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Certainly, the response time can be better. There were distress calls sent out. Some of the responses would have been delayed for various reasons, including the nature of our terrain.”
In a similar vein, Amnesty International called on the authorities on Tuesday to investigate the inability of security agencies to curb the attacks. Isa Sanusi, the AI Country Director, revealed that their investigation showed armed men operating for more than 48 hours, moving systematically from one village to another.
Sanusi urged President Bola Tinubu to establish an impartial, independent, and effective panel to probe the apparent failure of security agencies to prevent the bloodshed.
“Our investigation shows that the gunmen were on the rampage of killing and destruction for more than 48 hours, moving from one village to another. Apart from Bokkos Local Government Area, where the attacks started and lasted hours, the gunmen also crossed into Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and killed dozens of people in Hurum, Daruwat, Maiyanga, and NTV villages,” Sanusi stated.
In an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, admitted that the troops received over 30 distress calls during the attacks but were hindered by the difficult terrain and other factors.
Gen. Buba highlighted the assailants’ strategic planning and execution, making it challenging for the troops to reach the scenes promptly.
“The assailants took advantage of the relative peace that had returned to the state due to military pressure in the past months. There were over 30 distressed calls from the communities when the attack was ongoing. Before troops could arrive at some of the locations, the havoc had been done,” Gen. Buba explained.
He further acknowledged that the combination of the difficult terrain and other factors played a significant role in delaying the troops’ arrival at certain locations.
To address the challenges faced, Gen. Buba outlined that the military is in the process of reevaluating its strategy to ensure swifter intervention in the future. He stated, “The assailants had intentionally planned to attack several locations at the same time to make it difficult for troops to reach there on time. Troops’ strategy is being rejigged to allow faster intervention in the future.”
As investigations into the Plateau killings unfold, the focus remains on developing a comprehensive and effective response to ensure the safety and security of the affected communities.
