Plateau Crisis: DHQ Debunks Report Of Soldiers Maltreating Women

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that the soldiers on operations in Plateau state have never maltreated any women, contrary to what was being circulated in social media.

It said rather the soldiers have been conducting the operations professionally according to the laid down laws and rules.

This was contained in a statement on Saturday by the Acting Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau.

The DHQ was reacting to a video circulating on social media depicting soldiers under the caption “Operation Rainbow in Plateau State” maltreating women.

The military high command described the video as “misleading” and only served to add fuel to the security challenges currently being addressed by Operation SAFE HAVEN.

It said: “The video in question actually originated from an incident that took place in Sambisa forest in 2021, involving the spouses of Boko Haram members during the capture of strongholds of the Boko Haram insurgents and not in Plateau State as falsely claimed. 

“DHQ wishes to clarify that the soldiers involved in the aforementioned incident were then promptly sanctioned and dealt with by the military authority at the time it occurred for their unprofessional conduct. 

“The dissemination of this old video, with a misleading location tag, is causing unnecessary alarm and has the potential to exacerbate the security situation on the Plateau.

“We urge the individual responsible for recirculating this video to cease and desist from further dissemination, as their actions are only serving to add fuel to the security challenges currently being addressed by Operation SAFE HAVEN. 

“Our forces are actively engaged in aggressive operations and are dedicated to bringing the perpetrators of recent dastardly acts to justice.

“DHQ remains committed to fostering peace and stability in Plateau State and we call on all stakeholders and members of the public to support our efforts by refraining from spreading misinformation that could undermine our collective goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.”