Defence Minister, Security Chiefs Visit Plateau After Fresh Attack—A Glimpse of Hope?

Shortly after a fresh attack by armed terrorists which occurred on Saturday in Shere village, Bokkos local government area, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the service chiefs on Sunday visited Plateau State. 

This visit came hours after the attackers had killed two people, including a father and his son, as earlier reported by West Africa Weekly. 

Accompanying Minister Matawalle was the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu. 

As first reported by ChannelsTv, They arrived at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang aboard a Nigerian Air Force plane at 10:10 am, where they were received by military officials. Matawalle later stood to take the salute alongside the present service chiefs: Minister of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar.

Following the Christmas Eve attacks that killed over 190 persons, leaving several others injured and displaced in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of the state, the president had earlier stated that he would tackle this increasing violence in Plateau State by sending security forces to control the situation and apprehend the attackers. 

Also, on a visit to the Plateau IDP camp where many survivors and displaced citizens of the affected areas now reside, the Vice President in his speech assured that aid would be provided. 

With the arrival of the Minister of State for Defense and the Service Chiefs on the grounds of the Plateau where the blood of the innocent victims has been shed in the cold massacre, the people, as well as the nation at large, are hopeful that this is a glimpse of the president’s words coming into action. 

Hopefully, with this visitation, proactive measures and strategies will be devised to tackle this menace that has claimed the lives of hundreds and counting. And just maybe Plateau will breathe air free of the stench of brutally murdered corpses by armed terrorists.

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Joy Chukwu

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