NAN-DS-6
Normalcy
By Thompson Charlie Yamput
Panyam (Plateau), July 18, 2017 (NAN) Normalcy has returned to Panyam town in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau after a skirmish between some youths and soldiers on Tuesday.
The Special Task Force (STF) Commander, Maj.-Gen. Nichols Rogers, made the confirmation during his visit to the scene of the incident accompanied by the Mangu Local Government Sole Administrator, Mrs Esther Polit.
“The good thing is that calm has returned to Panyam, and the people have apologised to us over the attitude and behaviour of the irate youths.
“As for the youths arrested, we have only 4 of them in our custody and not 8 as alleged, ’’ the STF Commander said.
Gen. Rogers described the incident as “very sad’’ and “unfortunate’’ and appealed to the youths to resist the temptation to take the law into their hands any longer.
“Whatever may be your grievances, you endeavour to report it to the constituted authorities and not to take the law into your hands,
“I wish to assure that we shall look into your complaints and address them appropriately; any of my officers found liable will be dealt with, to serve as deterrent to others, ’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some youths, suspected to be commercial motorcyclists protested against an alleged extortion and maltreatment by the security operatives deployed at the Panyam Check Point in the early hours of the day.
NAN also reports that nearly eight youths were arrested by the security operatives in the village but Rogers denied the report, adding, “no civilian was shot or wounded; the only person wounded is a police officer among my men.’’
Reacting to the incident, Chief Aminu Derwam, the Vilage Head of Panyam, expressed shock at the behaviour of the youths, whom he said never complained to him about the soldiers deployed in the area.
“This incident is very saddening and shocking because it is very wrong for the youth to take the law into their hands by attempting to sack the soldiers, who are in our community to help keep the peace, ’’ Derwam said. (NAN)
TYC/OSA/AMY
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Abdullahi Yusuf
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