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Defence HQ reacts to Plateau CAN’s allegations of military killing Christians
The Nigerian Police Force said it has recovered no fewer than ten corpses in various locations in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State on Thursday as the attacks from gunmen continued despite a 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government.
This was as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Reverend Timothy Daluk, said he would not withdraw the allegations against troops on the crisis nor would he honour any invitation by the military.
The Chairman of the CAN, Reverend Daluk, was invited by Defence Headquarters over his recent comment against the military on the killing in Mangu.
Recall armed men had on Wednesday morning launched a fresh attack in the state, killing no fewer than 30 victims in Kwahaslalek village in the Mangu LGA of the state. More than ten people were also killed in Mangu town and environs with several houses burnt by the attackers the same day.
Daluk had accused the Nigerian military of supervising the killings of Christians and the destruction of properties in Mangu LGA.
In the viral video, Reverend Daluk said, “I am here to report the situation happening in the Mangu Local Government for the whole world to understand. What is happening in Mangu at this particular point in time, the military are the ones sending our people away for the militia to burn their houses.
“At this particular point in time, they have sent every Christian away from the new market, thereby leaving the Muslims to come and burn their houses.”
The DHQ on Thursday said it would request to meet with the Chairman of the CAN in the Mangu LGA of Plateau State, Reverend Timothy Daluk, over his comment against the military.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba said the DHQ was in the process of reaching out to the cleric to substantiate his allegations.
He said, “The DHQ is in the process of reaching out to him to come and substantiate the claims. It is not unusual for emotions to cloud people’s judgment when they have been confronted with very traumatising experiences.
“We would get to the bottom of his allegations after we have an audience with him. All the same, the military will continue to discharge its duties professionally and in line with best international standards, please.”
Similarly, the DHQ, in a statement, denied the allegations by the cleric, describing them as baseless and untrue.
The statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, partly read, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious video made by the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Mangu Chapter, Reverend Timothy Daluk.
“The video made baseless and untrue accusations, claiming that the military is biased and supports a particular group against others. We categorically state that these accusations hold no truth, are malicious and lack any reasonable foundation.”
He said troops of Operation Safe Haven were deployed after there was a breach of security in the Mangu LGA which resulted in the declaration of a 24-hour curfew.
However, CAN reacting to the DHQ invitation on Thursday, said it was ready to defend the claims that the military was aiding killings in the state.
In an interview with The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday, the state chairman of CAN, Reverend Polycarp Lubo said the association stands with the claim against the military made by the Mangu chairman regarding the killings.
Lubo said, “As an association, we stand by him (Daluk). He is an adult and he is a leader in Mangu. He knows what he has seen, and he said he has evidence. He has reasons why he has said so. So, we can not change what he has said “
READ ALSO: Trump To Buhari: Why are you killing Christians?
Asked whether the CAN leader has been invited by the military to defend the allegation, Lubo said “ No invitation yet. But, we will stand by him”
Also, the Mangu CAN chairman, Reverend Daluk, said he would not withdraw the allegations against troops on the crisis.
He said, “We are not withdrawing our allegations. And I don’t see the reason to honour any invitation by the Defence Headquarters. They should be the ones to come down to Mangu and see for themselves. The evidence is there, and graves are there.”
Taking about the allegations, he said, “Before my eye, a soldier shot dead one of my people. I called others and reported them, and they said the soldier was a fake troop. Whether fake or what they (the soldiers) are the ones responsible for differentiating.”
Daluk said the moment the situation was calm, and if it should continue like this, his people would be law-abiding and would not cause any breakdown of law and order.
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