Following the recent massive shake-up in the Nigerian Army, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General Tagbo Ude (Rtd) on Tuesday handed over to the Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim to serve as acting Commander of the task force.

General Ude who took over as the 8th Commander of the multi-security task force maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi States on the 5th of August 2015 was retired alongside other senior officers with his name penciled down as third on the list after serving for almost 32 years.

The outgoing Commander whose retirement elicited side comments from some officers and men at the OPSH headquarters that he was roped into the retirement list unfairly. They urged his successor to be neutral and avoid unnecessary sentiments in dealing with warring factions an officers of the force. Adding that “it is a hot seat because some people benefit from the crises on the Plateau and they are connected to people in high places -so make no mistake in thinking that everyone likes you, but put in your best and leave the rest to God.”

He described the various sector and Force Operation Base (FOB) commanders as the engine room of the task force and advised them not to get themselves entangled in controversial issues that will cause unnecessary litigation for the army.

“The most challenging aspect of my time as Commander was bringing the warring parties together but at least we achieved that. I am leaving Plateau with my shoulders high because we saved lives, business endeavours are blossoming, people that were dismissed from their homes are returning and people have learnt to tolerate one another,” he said.

The acting Commander, Brigadier General Ibrahim while handing the colours of the unit to Ude, thanked him for his service to the nation and promised to consolidate on his achievements

OPSH was established in 2010 as Special Task Force (STF) following ethnic and religious unrest in Plateau State, the name was last year changed to Operation Safe Haven by the Defence headquarters.

The list of retirement can be found below. All the officers were either said to have been involved in partisan politics or in some sort of corruption.

Nigeria Army confirms sack of Generals, other top officers

http://saharareporters.com/2016/06/12/list-senior-army-officers-compulsorily-retired-nigeria

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Conflict Politics in Plateau: Buhari retires Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Gen Tagbo Ude