Nigeria: Suspected Military Involvement in Attacks on Villages

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, members of the Nigerian military have been implicated in violence in Plateau State after military identification documents were allegedly recovered from the scene of an attack that occurred in the early hours of August 15. Four military identity documents were allegedly found after the attack on Heipang where nine people were killed. Eight of the victims were members of the same family. The attack was the latest of a series that have occurred since August 11, when three members of the same family were killed and another was injured. Unconfirmed reports say a military issue helmet and blood-stained belt were also found at the site. There have been a number of worrying reports regarding the conduct of members of the Joint Task Force charged with maintaining peace in Plateau State, ranging from lack of intervention in raids on villages to suspected collusion of soldiers in the violence.