On Saturday night, armed assailants opened fire on personnel attached to Operation Safe Haven at a security checkpoint in Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State, resulting in the death of one soldier and the theft of two firearms. The assault took place at approximately 8:00 p.m. at the Sopp Checkpoint situated in the Ungwan Boka community.
According to military insiders, the troops were on night duty when the assailants launched a coordinated assault from multiple flanks, prompting a heavy exchange of gunfire. Following the intense gun battle, the attackers managed to escape into the nearby dense vegetation.
How did the military authorities respond to the incident?
Addressing the development, the spokesperson for the military operation, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, condemned the assault, labelling it as both intentional and entirely unprovoked. He noted that order had since been brought back to the affected community.
"It was a deliberate and unprovoked attack on troops at Sopp Checkpoint, Ungwan Boka in Riyom Local Government Area," Oteh stated. He further assured the public that personnel were actively pursuing the fleeing suspects to bring them to justice and retrieve the missing equipment.
What is the current security status in the area?
Authorities have maintained a high level of alertness across the region to forestall any further security threats and to instil confidence among local residents. The military command has called on members of the public to stay calm, continue with their daily routines, and share actionable intelligence with security forces to aid ongoing operations.
This incident adds to the ongoing security challenges facing parts of Plateau State, where security agencies continue to battle criminal elements and armed gangs operating in rural and semi-urban settlements.