Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, says it is evident that there exist armed ethnic militia groups in Plateau State supported and sponsored by elite or elders of the state.
Buratai disclosed yesterday this during the burial of three soldiers who were killed during the September 6 violence that rocked the state’s troubled Barkin Ladi Local Government Area at the Maxwell Khobe Military Cemetery at 3 Division Headquarters, Rukuba Jos.
Buratai, who was represented by the Operation Safe Haven Commander, Major-General Augustine Agundu, said: “it is evident that there exist armed ethnic militia groups sponsored or supported by some elite and elders who deploy the misguided youths into committing the worst heinous crimes. There is certainly no constitutional provision that allows civilians to bear fire arms but their possession has become a well sort-out vocation here on the Plateau.”
Expressing regret over the death of CPL Effiong Mbuotidem, CPL Isah Ojaghale and LCPL Kingsley Aloue, the Chief of Army Staff said: “human dignity has lost its value on the Plateau. The troops of OPSH like all service personnel are officially detailed to Plateau State to perform the duties upon which they swore an oath to serve the nation.”
