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The Nigerian Army has expressed concern that communities defending themselves against rivals are escalating, rather than addressing, the crisis and tensions in Plateau State.
Major General MA Etsy-Ndagi, Chief of Civil-Military Relations, stated this during a media chat in Jos, emphasizing that allowing communities to defend themselves hasn’t yielded positive results, but instead worsened the situation.
Plateau state has been experiencing a series of crises since 2001, with many people reportedly killed and injured.
Various groups in the state have advocated for communities to be allowed to defend themselves amid incessant attacks.
However, Etsy-Ndagi explained that the crisis between farming and herding communities in the state is a cycle of violence, with both sides engaging in attacks and counter-attacks.
The army highlighted the need to seize weapons, including locally fabricated ones, from anyone found with them.
According to Major General Etsy-Ndagi, “To ensure the security of lives and property, we have to ensure everyone is disarmed and nobody fabricates weapons, so as to give way to peace.
“The situation involves farmers and herders accusing each other of attacks, with farmers alleging farm destruction and herders alleging cattle rustling. It’s a circle of violence. We don’t condone communities defending themselves, but we protect traumatized communities and give them support,” he added.
The major also called on the residents in the state to live in peace with one another and cooperate with security agencies to ensure sustainable peace and development in their respective communities, adding that there is nothing better than peace.
He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army in the fight against insecurity bedeviling communities across the country.
