The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that the killings in Southern Kaduna are one-sided attacks.
It stated that it was making effort at accelerated response to distress calls in steep terrain, raising the number of troops in the area and plans and coordinating with the Air Force for joint response.
This was disclosed by Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major-General CC Okonkwo in a meeting of senior security officials on Tuesday with Kaduna State Governor El-Rufai on the killings in Southern Kaduna, reports say.
The security officials “confirmed that a cycle of attacks and reprisals was compounding criminal activities in the area and causing needless loss of lives and appealed to all sides to embrace peace.”
Okonkwo confirmed at the meeting that he welcomed a deployment of Special Forces to help contain the situation.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff would send more troops to fortify those on ground, to cease attacks between the communities and pave way for dialogue.
Governor El-Rufai in his address, said he came to the meeting “with a heavy heart, saddened by the needless pain several of our communities are enduring in the cycle of violence that is recurring in parts of our state.
“Our task, as always, is to find means of containing the violence and ending the bloodshed.
“Today, we want to hear from you the leaders of the security agencies deployed in the area what further measures can be taken to end the agony.
“On our part, we continue to support the efforts of the security agencies as best as we can.” On its part, the police traced the outbreak of violence to clashes that started on June 5 and June 11.
Source: Sahara Reporters