Army warns Plateau communities against harboring criminals
Major General AE Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) has issued a warning to inhabitants of the Plateau cautioning them not to harbor criminals who are wreaking havoc in the State.
This was announced by the commander during his keynote speech at Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Jos, today, October 17, 2023, while he also inaugurated new committee members to carry out the recommendations of the 36-man joint committee report on achieving lasting peace in selected local government areas of Plateau State.
According to the Comd OPSH/GOC, the 26-man peace implementation committee, which was established in February 2022, has been successful in delivering peace through community participation and conversation to the LGAs that it was previously given.
He insisted that OPSH has used strong non-kinetic tactics to resolve conflicts peacefully and without using force, with the exception of fighting crime.
General Abubakar asked the committee members to perform their duties with diligence and without partiality or favoritism.
The commander stated that the people must work together to bring about peace, but also disclosed that the other committee members were chosen with care to represent different stakeholders and interest groups.
The commander went on to say that maintaining the status quo and shielding the next generation from the terrible realities of perpetual warfare were the primary reasons for the need for the peace endeavor.
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The Deputy Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, Deputy Commissioner of Police T Iyua, had earlier stated in his welcome address that the expanded committee would carry out the excellent work of the current implementation committee and offer sufficient remedies to the underlying causes of the crisis in the local government areas of Barikin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Jos North, and South, as well as Mangu and Riyom.
Architect Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the Plateau State Government and Special Guest of Honour expressed his appreciation to the commander of the OPSH for his unwavering dedication to peace, stating that it would help the state restore its proper standing among Nigerian States.
The Plateau State Government, according to the SSG, will stop at nothing to protect the lives and property of the people.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the local government chairmen and traditional rulers, Honourable Markus Artu, Chairman of the Mangu LGA Transition Implementation Committee, and Miskhagam Mwaghavul, His Royal Highness Da John Hirse, promised to collaborate with the appropriate authorities to protect the communities.
They promised to back the proposal and provide the committee with all the support it needs to fulfill its purpose.
The chairman of the 55-man Peace Implementation Committee, Justice Daniel Longji (Rtd), reaffirmed the committee members’ dedication to the upcoming tasks in his vote of gratitude.
He acknowledged that additional achievements would be reported to the State if the committee’s purview was expanded.
Architect Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Brigadier General GG Shippi (Rtd), Justice Daniel Longji (Rtd), the Chairman of the 55-member Peace Implementation Committee, eminent traditional rulers of Mangu, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and Bokkos, and the Chairmen of the Transition Implementation Committees of the aforementioned LGAs were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
The group photos and the oath-taking/presentation of appointment letters to new committee members were highlights of the event.
