Troops under Operation Enduring Peace killed five suspected terrorists and apprehended a suspected kidnapper during clearance operations in Plateau State on Saturday. The mission took place in Babangida, Adua, and Bokayi villages within the Dutsen Zaki forest, covering parts of Wase, Qua'an Pan, and Shendam local government areas. Acting in coordination with local vigilantes, the Joint Task Force engaged armed individuals in multiple locations. Captain Chinonso Oteh, spokesman for the operation, stated that two suspects were neutralised following direct confrontations, while three others died during an escape attempt amid crossfire from their associates. One suspect remains in custody.
During the operation, troops recovered a locally made firearm and more than 100 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. The actions follow a string of violent incidents in Plateau, including killings in Angwan Rukuba and an ambush in Jos South that left three dead. The military escalation comes after President Bola Tinubu visited the state and pledged stronger security measures to curb violence.
President Bola Tinubu's visit to Plateau and the subsequent military surge suggest a direct link between high-level attention and intensified operations. The deaths of three suspects during custody, allegedly from gunfire by their associates, raise questions about the circumstances of their final moments. For residents of Plateau, the cycle of violence and military response offers little indication of lasting safety. Security presence may shift tactics, but the pattern of attacks and reprisals remains unchanged.
