- Luggere community in Plateau State accuses Operation Safe Haven personnel of burning homes, vehicles, and assets, and targeting their cattle
- Community members allege that soldiers initiated gunfire before setting fire to their dwellings and belongings, resulting in significant losses
The inhabitants of the Luggere community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State levelled allegations against Operation Safe Haven personnel responsible for maintaining peace in the region, accusing them of setting fire to their residences, vehicles, and other assets.
Furthermore, the community claimed that the security operatives targeted their cattle, resulting in the deaths of numerous animals, and purportedly destroyed all valuable possessions, including a borehole.
According to residents, the incident unfolded after the reported killing of a soldier at a mining site in Shurun community of Ropp District in Barkin Ladi Local Government. The event transpired during the midnight hours while they were asleep.
Community members alleged that soldiers initiated gunfire before igniting their dwellings and belongings. Many residents purportedly fled, while others were apprehended and transported away in military vehicles.
Bala Salihu, whose home was among those razed, lamented, “We were caught unawares by the soldiers’ arrival. They razed our homes and vehicles without evidence of wrongdoing.”
Salihu highlighted the distance between the mining site and their community, emphasizing the lack of proof linking them to the soldier’s demise.
“We’ve never encountered such brutality before. Earlier, our livestock suffered losses, and now, our homes and belongings are destroyed. Despite the loss of over 100 cattle previously, security officials urged patience without conducting any investigation,” he added.
Uthman Abdullahi echoed similar sentiments, citing significant financial losses during the incursion and urging for a thorough investigation.
Operation Safe Haven’s spokesperson, Major Samson Zhakom, pledged to probe the allegations and furnish a response.