The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, Major General AE Abubakar, has warned residents on the Plateau against harboring criminals causing havoc in the State. The commander made this known in his keynote address today 17 October 2023, while inaugurating additional committee members to implement the recommendations of the 36-man joint committee report on achieving lasting peace in selected local government areas of Plateau State, at Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Jos.

The Commandeemr 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.

General Abubakar urged the committee members to carry out their responsibilities diligently devoid of bias or favor. While adding that peace can only be achieved through collective efforts of the people, the commander revealed that the additional committee members were carefully selected to represent various interest groups and stakeholders. The commander further emphasized that the peace effort was necessary to preserve the present and protect the future generations from experiencing the harsh realities of incessant conflicts.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Deputy Commissioner of Police T Iyua, said the expanded committee would replicate the good works of the existing implementation committee and provide adequate solutions to the root causes of the crisis in Barikin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Jos North and South as well as Mangu and Riyom LGAs.

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.

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Commander Operation Safe Haven Constitutes Additional Members for Peace Implementation Committee, Warns Against Harboring Criminals