By Taye Obateru, with agency reports
Jos — Five members of the Special Task Force, STF, who were on duty around Wareng Riyom LG of Plateau State where 13 people were killed early Tuesday have been arrested.

Their arrest is coming amidst allegations that some soldiers were involved in the attack and the discovery of an identification card belonging to a member of the task force on the spot of the incident.

Spokesman for the task force, Capt. Charles Ekeocha, who confirmed the arrest of the soldiers, yesterday, said they would be questioned to explain what went wrong at their duty post.

“We have also arrested five soldiers for ‘laxity’ during the attacks. They have been locked up and are being investigated. They shall be court-martialed if we have found them truly culpable,” he said

Ekeocha said the attacks carried out by unidentified persons between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. left some 13 people dead and many others injured.
Ekeocha confirmed that the soldiers were just few metres away from the scene of the attack, but chose to be unconcerned and “refused to act as expected.”

He said that the military authorities were shocked by the soldiers’ behaviour and promptly reported the matter to the Defence Headquarters, who ordered their arrest, detention and investigation.

“That prompt action only shows that the military authorities cannot condone such behaviour by its men. If they are indicted, you can be sure that they shall be dealt with decisively,’’ he said.

Ekeocha, however, rejected the suggestions that the soldiers took part in the killings, stressing that “they could not have done that.”
He also denied allegations that soldiers were using maximum force on helpless civilians and also dismissed as “simply impossible” the allegations that the soldiers were “biased” in the handling of the crisis.

“When we deploy men, we do not bring religious or tribal sentiments into it.  Each team has soldiers of all faiths and tribes; so the idea of taking sides cannot arise,’’ he said.

He confirmed that a name tag of a member of the STF with number ST 296 was seen at the scene of the attack along with a bank document with the name Abdullahi Mohammed.

The villagers had complained that their distress call to members of the STF who were close by were rebuffed as they allegedly claimed not to have instructions to act.

STF recovers 5 bodies

Ekeocha said the STF had also recovered five bodies of people reportedly killed in Mangu Halle on their way to a wedding.
He said that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at the NAF Hospital .

The STF spokesman, however, expressed happiness that the security situation in Plateau had improved tremendously, but noted that banks had yet to open.

“The situation is better now, but banks and markets have yet to open.  I understand  that they are afraid of miscreants and I want to warn that any miscreant caught disturbing the peace should have himself to blame.

Ekeocha warned the general public against rumour mongering ad other statements capable of igniting any crisis, saying that the STF would not take that lightly from any one.