Plateau State: Nigerian Army reiterates commitment to peace restoration in Dorowa, Barkin Ladi LGA, condemns misleading narratives

The Nigerian Army has reiterated its commitment to the restoration of peace to the Dorowa area of Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State.

The Army disclosed this in a statement by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, while responding to a viral video online by one Reverend (Rev) Dachomo.

According to the video, the Reverend made alarming claims about potential Fulani terrorist attacks in the Dorowa area of Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State. 

Rev. Dachomo alleged that an insider source revealed a mass mobilization through Nyerwai and asserted that recent deaths in the community were linked.

The cleric also claimed that a visit to the force headquarters yielded no confirmation of these reports and that troops had been withdrawn, leaving the community vulnerable. 

The Reverend's accusations extend to claims of a Fulani leader influencing security forces to shield Fulani suspects from arrest.

The religious leaders also criticized Christian authorities for alleged inaction, suggesting a link to ISWAP.

Dachomo's statements culminate in a call to arms for local youths to defend themselves and a plea for prayer, painting a dire picture of the security situation in the region.

According to the Nigerian Army, the viral video by Rev. Dachomo alleging mobilisation of Fulani terrorists through Nyerwai in Barkin Ladi LGA and accusing security agencies of collusion is a clear case of propaganda intended to inflame public sentiment and erode confidence in security agencies. 

The video emerged in the wake of heightened tension following the killing of a herder and 36 cows as well as the rustling of 49 others in the area, creating a volatile environment easily exploited by misinformation and invoking the name of the Fulani leader, referring to a court judgment in Adamawa State and accusing Christians in positions of authority of betrayal, the speaker deliberately employed emotionally charged and divisive narratives to whip up ethno-religious sentiments and curry favour from the local populace.

The Army said Rev. Dachomo's accusation was baseless and aimed at causing unnecessary tension. 

"The military's JTF OPEP condemns the misleading narratives and hereby warns the propagator to desist from causing panic and discord among the peace loving people of the state to abstain from such acts or face the full wrath of the law." Major Zhakom said.

"Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE deployed within Sector 4 Areas of Responsibility (AOR) will continue to upscale its operational activities around Nyerwai and Dorowa to reassure residents of their safety. 

"Also, the command of JTF OPEP condemns the incitement and remains fully committed to its mandate to restore peace and order in the Joint Operations Area (JOA). 

"We call on all stakeholders - traditional leaders, religious leaders and civil society to avoid inflammatory rhetoric statements, instead rally around our common goal of a peaceful, united, and secure Plateau."

#NigerianArmyInfo

#HqNigerianArmy