Soldiers kill three youths at party in Jos

Three youths have been allegedly gruesomely murdered and many others injured when gunmen suspected to be officers and men of the Special Task Force deployed to restore law and order in Plateau State opened fire on youths celebrating a birthday party at Joenice Bar, Nyango Gel, Bukuru Low Aost Area of Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The shooting occurred late on Sunday.
The Eagle Online gathered that an argument had erupted at the party venue, prompting the owner of the joint to alert members of the STF around the locality.
A source, who was at the scene of the event and who does not want his name in print, told The Eagle Online that immediately the STF operatives got to the scene, they started shooting sporadically, resulting in the death of three persons, while some others sustained gunshot wounds.
According to the source: “When the soldiers got to the venue, the STF members just opened fire on us.
“I am lucky to be alive.”
The father of Timshak Miri, one of the youths killed, Nantel Miri, who spoke with The Eagle Online at his residence in Zawan, said amid tears that he could not believe operatives of the STF, saddled with the responsibility of protecting citizens, would open fire on innocent teenagers.
Miri called for hustice and appealed to the Commander of the STF to ensure that the soldiers who carried out the acts are brought to book
Similarly, the sister of one of the youths victims, Fecit Miri, cried out to the Federal Government, the relevant authorities and indeed all well meaning Nigerians to ensure that the act does not go unpunished.
A residence of the Bukuru Low Cost Housing Estate described the incident as pathetic.
He called on the Chief of Army staff and the Commander of the STF to investigate the issue and ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
Efforts to reach the spokesman of the Special Task Force before publication was not successful as he did not pick his calls.
However the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Abuh Emmanuel, said the Commad was yet to receive an official report from the Divisional Police Officer in Bukuru.
Emmanuel however said the police would investigate and get to the root of the matter.
He called on the parents of the dead youths to remain calm as the perpetrators would be brought to book.