Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Lagbaja Assures of Army’s Commitment to Tackle Insecurity as He Visits Mangu LGA

The Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has assured the citizens of Plateau State and Nigeria of the Nigerian Army’s commitment, readiness and ability to bring an end to the insecurity bedeviling the State and Nation at large.
The Army Chief commended the efforts of the security personnel under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar the Commander Operation Safe Haven and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos, Plateau State for arresting the spate of attacks, killings and destruction of property including farm crops in Mangu Local Government Area. He assured the personnel of the readiness of the Nigerian Army to address their welfare needs to enhance the performance of their duty of restoring peace in the State. He charged them to work assiduously towards achieving the much needed peace.
While urging Stakeholders and other Nigerians to accord security personnel the required supports to achieve peace and said the Nigerian Army will deploy all it takes to tackle the insecurity.
He said he will work with his personnel to ensure that his philosophy which is “to transform the Nigerian Army into a well trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities in Joint
Operations” is actualized.
“I have the full backing of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to come over to ensure the situation in Mangu LGA and Plateau State is brought under control. I have been briefed by the General Officer Commanding GOC (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven on the situation at hand”
He flagged off the “Operation Hakorin Damisa” charging his men to take full charge of the security situation ensuring that perpetuators are dealt with. He urged them to be professional, not take side and ensure they conduct the Operation in line with the rules of engagement. He thereafter met with the stakeholders of the Local Government Area where he charged them to embrace peace. He urged them to respond promptly to distress calls and any form of attacks on the citizens.

Transition Committee Chairman of Mangu LGC, Hon. Markus Artu commended the Chief of Army Staff for the military intervention which has significantly addressed the security challenges confronting the Local Government. He said the Stakeholders meeting was apt which is to find a common ground towards achieving lasting peace. “For lasting peace and normalcy to return we need to find a common ground and this Stakeholders’ meeting is one of the non-kinetic avenues to resolve the insecurity.

Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alh. Bello Shanunu decried the continuous hostilities and said peace is the only way to bring an end to the killings. He said the people have enjoyed peaceful coexistence in the past.

Chief Joseph Gwankat, KSM the National President of Mangu Development Association (MDA) hinted that the local government area which is well known as an agrarian place and food basket of Plateau State has been adversely affected by insecurity. He said many lives have been lost and property including farm crops destroyed by those who hate peaceful co-existence.

The Mishkagham Mwaghavul, His Royal Highness Da John Putmang Hirse, mni lauded the visit of the Chief of Army Staff to the Local Government Area to assess the true position of things as well as the military intervention put in place to curtail the killings in his domain. He urged the people to cooperate with the security agencies as the work to bring an end to the killings and destruction of farm crops. He called for assistance to address the humanitarian needs of the displaced Persons.

Other Stakeholders who spoke at the meeting appreciated the security agencies for their intervention and called for more efforts to completely tackle the security challenges in the area. The commended the roles played by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar for working round the clock to curtail attacks and killings in the area.