Plateau CAN chairman insists soldiers are killing indigenes in Mangu, shuns DHQ invitation

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Rev Timothy Daluk, has said he would not withdraw the allegations against troops on the crisis, nor would he honour any invitation by the military.

The Chairman of the CAN, Rev Daluk, was invited by Defence Headquarters over his recent comment against the military on the killing in Mangu.

Recall armed men had on Wednesday morning launched a fresh attack in the state, killing no fewer than 30 victims in Kwahaslalek village in the Mangu LGA of the state. More than ten people were also killed in Mangu town and environs, with several houses burnt by the attackers the same day.

Rev Daluk had accused the Nigerian military of supervising the killings of Christians and the destruction of properties in Mangu LGA.

In the viral video, Rev Daluk said, “I am here to report the situation happening in the Mangu Local Government for the whole world to understand. What is happening in Mangu at this particular point in time, the military are the ones sending our people away for the militia to burn their houses.

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“At this particular point in time, they have sent every Christian away from the new market, thereby leaving the Muslims to come and burn their houses.”

On Thursday, the DHQ said it would request to meet with Rev Daluk over his comment against the military.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba said the DHQ was in the process of reaching out to the cleric to substantiate his allegations.

He said, “The DHQ is in the process of reaching out to him to come and substantiate the claims. It is not unusual for emotions to cloud people’s judgment when they have been confronted with very traumatising experiences.

“We would get to the bottom of his allegations after we have an audience with him. All the same, the military will continue to discharge its duties professionally and in line with best international standards, please.”

Reacting to the DHQ invitation, Rev Daluk told Punch that he would not withdraw the allegations against troops on the crisis.

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He said, “We are not withdrawing our allegations. And I don’t see the reason to honour any invitation by the Defence Headquarters. They should be the ones to come down to Mangu and see for themselves. The evidence is there; graves are there.”

Taking about the allegations, he said, “Before my eye, a soldier shot dead one of my people. I called others and reported them. They said the soldier was a fake troop. Whether fake or what, they (the soldiers) are the ones responsible for differentiating.”

Daluk said the moment the situation was calm, and if it continued like this, his people would be law-abiding and would not cause any breakdown of the law.