The Defence Headquarters has explained the delayed response of troops during the attacks in Bokkos and Biriki-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, attributing it to challenging terrain and other factors.
The attacks on Sunday resulted in the tragic deaths of 150 people, with over 10,000 displaced.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang acknowledged the need for a more efficient response during an interview on Channels Television.
He cited distress calls sent out during the attacks and acknowledged that response times could be improved, taking into account the challenging nature of the terrain.
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Amnesty International has also called for an investigation into the security agencies’ inability to curb the attacks.
The AI Country Director, Isa Sanusi, reported that armed assailants operated for over 48 hours, moving between villages in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, admitted that the troops received more than 30 distress calls during the attacks.
He explained that the difficult terrain and the assailants’ coordinated planning and execution made it challenging for troops to intervene promptly.
Edward stated that the military is reevaluating its strategy to ensure quicker responses in future incidents.
He said, “The assailants intentionally planned to attack several locations at the same time to make it difficult for troops to reach there on time. Troops’ strategy is being rejigged to allow faster intervention in the future.”
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