Plateau massacre: CDS confirms arrests, vows to reclaim captured communities

By Hannah Nathan, Warri

The Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has stated that the Nigerian military has made notable headway in apprehending suspects connected to the attacks following the Christmas Eve massacre that left over 200 people dead in two local government areas of Plateau State.

Musa assured the audience that attempts were being taken to find everyone connected to the horrible deed during a televised interview on Channels TV on Monday.

“We are up on their heels and making some arrests,” Gen Musa declared.

The CDS also revealed that the military is working with state governments to pinpoint terrorist-captured locations nationwide so they can be reclaimed.

In the new year, he pledged to make sure that no community is held by bandits.

“We are working with the state governments to identify these areas; this year, God willing, we will make sure bandits hold no community.” He affirmed.

Musa mentioned the possibility of fewer camps for internally displaced people as communities recover and people can go back to their homes without risk.

Gen. Musa stressed, “We cannot be everywhere,” while acknowledging the size of the impacted area and allaying fears about the military’s response time.

He claimed that initiatives were in place to improve response times and stop similar events in the future.

He emphasized that political choices were essential to conquering obstacles and that the military’s efficacy depended on strong support and orders from the political class. He identified a lack of political will at all levels of government as a major barrier to resolving the ongoing insecurity in the nation.

“The military can only do so much; it is a political decision, not a military decision on what is to be done,” Gen Musa concluded.