The Special Task Force (STF) in Plateau said weapons and ammunition were recovered in the villages of?Riyom and Barkin local governments of the state, where villagers were asked to vacate for military operations.
The operations took place place last month after series of attacks on some settlements by unknown gunmen.
Maj.-Gen. Henry Ayoola, the STF Commander?, made the disclosure at an interactive session with journalists on Thursday in Jos.
Ayoola?said that the operations in the areas had changed the pattern of operations in the state since the beginning of?STF peace efforts.
“That operation moved us from what we call low intensity conflict to high intensity conflict,'' he said, but did not give details of the weapons.
Ayoola said that the details?would?be made public at the completion of the exercise which he said was still ongoing in one out of the five communities that were asked to vacate their homes.?
The STF Commander commended journalists for their contribution to maintenance of peace in Plateau.
He said that the success?so far recorded in the restoration of peace in Jos and environs would not have been possible without the invaluable contribution of men of the pen profession.
Ayoola?said that the press and STF were partners in progress and?must always work together.
“Since I came on board I have enjoyed your cooperation. Sometimes we do call you at very short notices, but we get very passionate response that shows that we are working together,’’ he said.
Ayoola said that the forum was meant to interact informally with journalists in order to generate ideas that would move the peace process forward.
The commander assured the people of the state that indiscipline would not be condoned from officers and men of?the STF.??
He also appealed to the?people to also obey and do what they were asked to do by soldiers, particularly at the check points.
Ayoola revealed?that there was an improvement in the way officers and men of the STF conducted themselves.
He, however, lamented the existence some for few bad eggs because of the large number of people involved in the operation.
Mr Katdaba Gogwim, Plateau NUJ Chairman, in his remarks, thanked?the STF?Commander for the initiative and said that the forum would afford journalists the opportunity to interact more informally.
Gogwim said that journalist on the Plateau had worked tirelessly to maintain peace in the state and thanked them for being at the beck and call of the STF.
“I remember some occasions that journalists have been called at very odd hours to leave the comforts of their zones to attend to urgent matters and they have been doing very well,’’ he said. (NAN)