Brig-Gen Timothy Opurum, the commander of Sector 7, Operation Safe Haven Kafanchan, says the army will not be distracted in its quest to protect lives and property within its area of operation.

Mr Opurum stated this on Wednesday shortly after leading troops on a show of force across communities in Atyap chiefdom of Zango Kataf council area in Kaduna.

Addressing community leaders in Zango Urban, the commander lamented that despite the military’s efforts to maintain peace in troubled Southern Kaduna communities, some elements had continued to accuse it of aligning with the attackers.

He warned that the army would not hesitate to deal with anyone who took the law into their hands in the name of carrying out reprisals.

“The army is more than prepared to decisively deal with troublemakers from both the Atyap, Hausa and Fulani communities,” he stated, adding the time for pampering and begging people who were bent on fomenting trouble was over.

While warning those planning and carrying out attacks in the area to put an end to it, Mr Opurum assured the community that they would meet their Waterloo if they failed to heed the warning.

There have been renewed attacks in Southern Kaduna communities, with many lives and properties lost.

(NAN)