By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation ENDURING PEACE, have recorded significant operational successes in Plateau State, arresting suspected impostors and neutralizing terrorists in coordinated operations across Jos North and Wase Local Government Areas.
The late-night operation in Jos North followed a distress call over sporadic gunfire in the Dutse Uku area, where troops swiftly mobilized and intercepted two individuals dressed in black tactical uniforms. The suspects, who were allegedly masquerading as security personnel, were caught in the act of setting houses ablaze and fomenting violence within the community.
Confirming the development, the Media Information Officer of the task force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, said the suspects are currently in custody, while two civilians who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident have been evacuated to a medical facility and are in stable condition.
He noted that the arrest has effectively debunked allegations of military involvement in the unrest, stressing that criminal elements have been disguising as security operatives to perpetrate attacks and tarnish the image of the Armed Forces.
In a related development, troops operating in Karem, Wase Local Government Area, engaged a group of terrorists reportedly moving in large numbers on motorcycles. According to military sources, the insurgents fled after coming under heavy fire, with three of them neutralized during the encounter.
The operations followed the deployment of additional troops, including specialized counter-terrorism forces, ordered by the Chief of Army Staff earlier on Thursday. Security analysts say the reinforcement has already begun to shift the dynamics on the ground, enabling troops to take proactive control of previously volatile areas.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and support ongoing military operations by reporting suspicious movements to security agencies. Authorities insist that the current offensive will be sustained until all threats to peace and security in Plateau State are decisively eliminated.
