Troops hunt Plateau gunmen after soldier’s killing

The military has launched a manhunt for gunmen who attacked a military checkpoint in Plateau State, killing a soldier and carting away weapons.

The incident occurred on Saturday night at about 8 pm at the Sopp checkpoint in Ungwan Boka, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, where troops of Operation Enduring Peace were keeping vigil.

Security sources said the gunmen opened fire on the troops from different directions, leading to an exchange of gunfire before they fled into the surrounding bushes.

A source said, “The attack occurred while the troops were keeping vigil at the checkpoint. The gunmen opened fire from different directions, forcing the troops to engage them in a gun battle.”

It was gathered that during the attack, one soldier was killed and two weapons were carted away by the attackers.

Confirming the incident to journalists in Jos on Sunday, the spokesman of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Oteh, described the attack as deliberate and unprovoked.

Oteh said, “It was a deliberate and unprovoked attack on troops at Sopp checkpoint, Ungwan Boka in Riyom Local Government Area.”

He added, “Troops have restored normalcy in the area and are maintaining aggressive pursuit of the perpetrators to apprehend them and recover the carted-away weapons.”

According to him, “The situation remains under control, while troops continue to sustain heightened vigilance to prevent any further security breach and reassure residents of their safety.”

He also said, “The public is urged to remain calm, go about their lawful activities and volunteer credible information that could assist security agencies in their ongoing efforts.”

Meanwhile, residents of the area, in separate interviews, condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and an attempt to destabilise the relative peace being enjoyed in the locality.

A resident, Mr Dung Gyang, who spoke to our correspondent, said, “We condemn this attack in totality. These soldiers are here to protect us. Killing one of them and attacking a checkpoint is an attack on all of us. We want the perpetrators arrested.”

Another resident, Mrs Sarah Bot, called on security agencies to fish out the attackers, saying, “We are saddened by this killing. We are appealing to the military not to abandon us. The checkpoint has been helping to check criminal activities in this area.”

The latest attack comes amid renewed security concerns in Riyom Local Government Area and other parts of Plateau State.

Riyom, which is located along the volatile Plateau-Benue-Nasarawa border corridor, has in recent months witnessed a series of security breaches, including ambushes on security personnel, attacks on farming communities, and destruction of farmlands.

The LGA, which is considered one of the flashpoints of frequent attacks on farming communities and banditry in the state, has seen increased deployment of troops under Operation Enduring Peace, formerly Operation Safe Haven, to curb the activities of armed groups operating in the surrounding hills and forests.

Just last month, Riyom residents reported several cases of night attacks and kidnappings along the Riyom-Abuja highway, prompting the military to establish additional checkpoints, including the Sopp checkpoint, to enhance surveillance and rapid response.