An internal military task force in Plateau State, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), has refuted allegations that it has a hand in the death of two young men in the Riyom Local Government Area of the state.
Locals had accused personnel of the military unit of complicity after two youths, Jerry Bitrus, 28, and Joseph Davou, 32, were reportedly killed last Sunday by gunmen in the area.
But the military outfit has maintained that it has no hand in the death of the youths.
Authorities of Operation Safe Haven explained that its personnel who were on patrol on the said date were only drafted to the area after a distress call was made to the unit.
Kill two in fresh Plateau attack
Bandits have levied some communities in Shiroro Council of Niger State N5 million monthly to avoid being attacked.
Against the usual kidnapping for ransom, the audacious bandits reportedly demanded N5 million from Iburo, Gandu, Dnasa, Pyegbere, Dnasapa, Jhazhayidna, Goffan A and B, Chukuba and Galapy communities to be spared from attacks.
A source in Shiroro told The Guardian that the bandits through an intermediary (name withheld), who resides in Kusasu community, had earlier met with the communities where they were informed to contribute N5 million at the end of every month, if they wanted to stay in their villages peacefully.
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After months of respite, apprehension gripped the people of Riyom local government area of Plateau State as two young men were ambushed and shot dead on Sunday by gunmen rampaging the area.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that the unfortunate incident occurred on Sunday at about 8:00 pm along Hoss-Rim road in the local government while the two persons identified as Joseph Davou and Jerry Bitrus were returning from a send forth prayer for one the pastors in Rim community.
A source in the community disclosed that the gunmen who had laid siege on the road opened fire at two of them on a motorcycle, killing them instantly while other road users scampered for safety to avoid being killed.