Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the police, has repelled bandit attacks on Nteng village in Deomak District, Qua’ran-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, who stated this in a statement on Friday, said the coordinated operation restored calm to the area.
He said the intervention followed a directive by the Commandant General of the corps, Professor Ahmed Audi, who ordered the immediate deployment of a Special Intelligence Squad to tackle the worsening insecurity.
Communities in Qua’ran-Pan have been under siege by suspected bandits, who were said to have exploited the difficult terrain described as mountainous, waterlogged and swampy, and the poor road network, which delayed security response.
The head of the Special Intelligence Squad, Apollos Dandaura, said the attacks have led to loss of lives, malicious destruction of farm crops, the Primary Health Care Hospital, buildings and property were destroyed, leading to the displacement of over 4,000 farmers, some of whom are currently at the refugee camp in a primary school inside Qua’ran-Pan.
Dandaura assured of safety most especially communities like Doop, Keolakan, Jepmorop, and Gorom, whose valuables were maliciously damaged and others carted away.
As part of ongoing measures, the NSCDC said it had carried out an on-the-ground assessment to prepare for the deployment of its Agro Rangers Squad.
The unit, according to Dandaura, is tasked with protecting farmers, preventing further attacks, and promoting peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers.
He added that an on-the-spot assessment of the location to facilitate the deployment of the NSCDC Agro Rangers Squad, whose purview lies in the provision of security for farmers, enhancing unity between herders and farmers, guarding against destruction of farm crops, killing of cattle, while preventing further attacks or counterattacks on innocent citizens.