Sequel to the recent invasion of some villages of Vwang District in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State by military operatives of the Special Task Force codenamed Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), leaving behind battered women and children, the community has petition Governor Simon Lalong over the invasion.
The community claimed that the Army invaded the Vwang-Kogwot, Dangyuruk, Gwohwong and Kogom villages, broke into their houses, harassed, intimidated and brutalized innocent and defenceless women, children and the elderly for no reason.
The community in a complaint letter to the Governor on Wednesday signed by President, Vwang Development Association (VDA) Da Gabriel Tongwong and Chairman Berom Women Development Association (BEWDA) Vwang District, Ngo Esther D. Vwangdung demanded government intervention on the alleged unwarranted harassment and brutality of women and children by the Army.
“We the community-based associations of Vwang District in Jos South Local Government are constrained to cry out to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong over the incessant invasion of our community by persons suspected to be operatives of the Special Task Force, (Operation Safe Haven).
“For some time now, these security operatives have been conducting unwarranted harassment, intimidation and brutalization of innocent and defenceless children, women and the elderly in our communities including Vwang-Kogwot, Dangyuruk, Gwohwong and Kogom, leading to loss of lives for reasons not known to us.
“These acts have been happening without any iota of consultation with our religious, community and traditional rulers as if to say we have lost our humanity, fundamental human rights and now live under circumstances that ‘might have become right’ or we are simply prisoners of war under an invading force that is very brutal.”
The groups maintained that the community has never condoned any action of criminality or shield criminals and bandits as it has been working closely and cooperated with Sector 4 of the OPSH command and the Kaduna Vom Police Division for peace and unity in the area.
“We wonder why we should be subjected to this kind of inhuman and violent treatment. For the avoidance of doubt, seven Hillux vehicles, with different colours, full of troops we suspect to be STF operatives from sector 9 in Riyom LGA, invaded some hamlets in Vwang District on 7th November 2018 and in a dramatic and unwarranted operation, broke into homes, randomly beating women and children, and fatally wounding some.”
According to the group, one of the victims, Samson Markus is bleeding in agony at the Vom Christian Hospital due to gunshot injuries inflicted on him and several others.
“We do not live in a lawless society, and we shall not accept such acts of impunity and the breach of fundamental human rights under the watch of government.
“We demand that you set up a high powered committee to investigate these excesses of the security personnel involved in this so-called raid of the civilian population. Representatives of the community should be included in such an investigation.
“The hospital bill of the injured should be fully paid. Adequate compensations should be given to those people whose homes and property were destroyed or violated.
“A perpetual restraint should be served on security personnel who take the law into their hands to organize, conduct or carry out arbitrary or unwarranted invasion of our community and security personnel who are found wanting should be properly prosecuted for acts of criminality either perpetrated or facilitated on defenceless civilian victims,” the group stressed.
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