Major General AE Abubakar, the Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, has issued a stern warning to residents of Plateau State against harboring criminals who are causing unrest in the region.

This message was conveyed during his keynote address on October 17, 2023, when he inaugurated additional committee members tasked with implementing the recommendations of a 36-member joint committee report aimed at achieving lasting peace in Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Jos North, Jos South, Mangu and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State.

The ceremony took place at the Headquarters of 3 Division Nigerian Army in Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Jos.

The Comd OPSH/GOC, disclosed that the 26-Man peace implementation committee inaugurated in February 2022 has succeeded in bringing peace to the LGAs earlier assigned to it through dialogue and community engagement. He maintained that robust non-kinetic measures have been employed by OPSH to address disagreements without resorting to force except in combating criminality.

He called on the committee members which cut across the different segments of society to be sincere, work with utmost dedication and be transparent in the discharge of their duties.

The GOC further tasked them to “develop and implement a comprehensive action plan that addresses the root causes of conflicts, promotes reconciliation and fosters social cohesion among the affected communities.”

He added, “I urge you to discharge your responsibility with utmost dedication, impartiality and transparency. You have been entrusted with the critical task and the success of your efforts will determine the degree of peace in these seven local government areas. Engage dialogue, mediation and support of community members. They should cooperate with the committee.

“We have developed a non-kinetic approach to tackle the problems. Remember how you used to live together in the past and these hostilities have been on for over 20 years. Collaborate with the State government and other security agencies… We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Plateau regains its glory as the home of peace and tourism.

“Sustainable peace can only be attained through collective efforts that involve all stakeholders, the community members themselves, everyone should give peace a chance. I am sending a strong warning to crisis merchants and those that allow their communities to be used as hideouts by criminals that Operation Safe Haven will deal decisively with anyone found harbouring criminals irrespective of position and status in society.”

On his part, the Special Guest of Honor and Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Architect Samuel Jatau, commended the commander OPSH for his high-sense of commitment to peace, which he said was advantageous to the State to regain its rightful place in the comity of Nigerian States. The SSG maintained that Plateau State Government will leave no stone unturned in securing the lives and property of the people.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers and local government chairmen at the event, the Miskhagam Mwaghavul, His Royal Highness Da John Hirse and Chairman Mangu LGA Transition Implementation Committee, Honorable Markus Artu, pledged their commitment to work with relevant authorities to safeguard the communities. They vowed to support the initiative and give maximum support to the committee in order to deliver on its mandate.

In his vote of thanks, the Chairman 55-Man Peace Implementation Committee, Justice Daniel Longji (Rtd), reiterated the commitment of the committee members to dedicate themselves to the tasks ahead. He admitted that through the expansion of the scope of the committee, more successes would be recorded in the State.

Some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion include; the Secretary to Plateau State Government, Architect Samuel Jatau, Special Adviser on Security to Plateau State Governor, Brigadier General GG Shippi (Rtd), Chairman 55-man peace implementation committee, Justice Daniel Longji (Rtd), eminent traditional rulers of Mangu, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos as well as Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen of Mangu, Bokkos, Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGAs amongst others.

Highlights of the occasion included oath taking/presentation of appointment letters to new committee members and group photographs.