JOS, Nigeria: July 15 (Xinhua) — Nigerian troops operating in central north Plateau state on Saturday asked inhabitants of crisis-prone villages to leave their settlements within 48 hours, a military spokesperson said.
Captain Salisu Mustapha, spokesperson of the Special Task Force, said in a statement that a military operation was going on in those villages in the restive state.The military action came in the wake of recent attacks by gunmen in some communities of the area.
Violence reached a crescendo last Sunday when two lawmakers were killed in attacks by the Boko Haram sect during a burial ceremony. At least 90 people had been killed in earlier attacks since Friday night.
In Saturday’s statement, the troops also advised residents of neighboring settlements to calm down, act carefully and avoid places of military operation until further notice.They also asked people to report any suspicious movement or activities in the areas.
Plateau State is situated in Nigeria’s middle belt where the Muslim-dominated north and the Christian-dominated south meet.
It has seen years of ethnic tensions and is a major potential flashpoint ahead of the April presidential elections. (Xinhua)
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