The Nigerian Army has denied reports making the rounds that its troop shot at unarmed citizens, saying that the report is false.

A statement signed by the Military Information Officer OPSH, Major Ishaku Takwa, and made available to DefenceTimesNG the army insisted that no troop opened fire on anyone, describing the source of the report as ‘merchant of falsehood and disunity’.

The statement reads:

Operation SAFE HAVEN has been notified of a malicious falsehood peddled by one Jama Emmanuel, making the round in the social media. The writer alleged that the citizens were chasing bandits that came to attack Government Science Secondary School Kuru on Friday evening when troops of the Nigerian Army stop them. He also alleged that the troops shot at the unarmed citizens who were chasing the bandits.

While Operation SAFE HAVEN would have ignored this merchant of falsehood and disunity, considering his lack of credibility, it is however instructive to put the records in a proper perspective for the interest of not misleading peace lovers and unsuspecting members of the public.

It was on Friday 10 June 2022 at about 2000Hrs (8: 00pm) that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN were informed of gunshots between Mararaban Jama’a and railway crossing by Kuru Science Secondary School along Jos – Abuja road in Riyom local government area of Plateau state. Troops immediately mobilized to the scene and on arrival, the people of the area said they don’t need the presence of the security agencies. The troops were asked to leave the area and they withdrew. It is therefore worrisome to allege that troops fired at unarmed citizens and if they did, what was the casualty figure? The report of troops firing at innocent citizens remains an elusive and mischievous figment of the writer intended to mislead, misinform and cause panic among the law abiding citizens of Plateau State. Hence it should be disregarded in its entirety.

We also urge members of the public to be wary of such mischief makers who are frustrated with the relative peace and gradual return of the state to its glory. Operation SAFE HAVEN is on cause and would not be distracted by the antics of vicious mischief makers whose stock in trade is to peddle unfounded rumors and cause panic

While appreciating law abiding citizens for providing timely information to the security agents, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali call on all stakeholders to continue to be peace ambassadors as Operation SAFE HAVEN continue to intensify efforts in ensuring peace is fully restored on the Plateau.