The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar has issued stern warning to criminal elements, crisis Merchants and communities harbouring criminal elements in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States. He disclosed that the Nigerian Military will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone found harbouring criminal elements in line with extant laws of the land.

The Army General made these known while inaugurating a 17-man peace implementation Committee for Irigwe Land on Wednesday 15th May, 2024 at the Headquarters 3 Division Auditorium Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos, Plateau State. According to him, Operation Safe Haven has continued to explore all avenues to find lasting solutions to the lingering crisis in Plateau State which informed the decision of the security outfit to constitute a 36-Man Joint Committee sometimes in September, 2021 to work out modalities to achieve peace and reconciliation in Bassa, Jos North, Jos South and Riyom Local Government Area. He expressed optimism that the newly constituted Committee will approach the task assigned to them with dedication, diligence, impartiality and transparency in order to achieve the much needed peace in Irigwe Land, Bassa Local Government Area and Plateau State at large.

In his words “You are my sheriff in all the communities and you must act it. Do not be partisan. You must note that the success of this critical task will determine the future of peace in Bassa LGA and environs. I thus implore you to engage in robust consultation, dialogue and mediation to ensure all stakeholders are carried along and their concerns addressed. I also call on members of the affected communities in Irigwe Land to extend their support and cooperation to the Committee. “Let me use this medium to reiterate that Operation SAFE HAVEN under my command has continued to adopt robust non-kinetic strategies towards fostering peaceful coexistence on the Plateau. I have emplaced early warning mechanism and quick response to distress calls”He assured the Citizens that Operation Safe Haven will continue to work in close collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a safe and enabling environment for the peace building process so that Plateau State will regain its glory as the “Home of Peace and Tourism”.

He further emphasized that sustainable peace can only be achieved through collective efforts that involves all stakeholders including the entire communities. He therefore appealed to all communities, traditional leaders, youths as well as religious and ethnic groups to give peace a chance. He reminded the People that it is only in an atmosphere of peace that socio-economic activities thrive.

The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Chief Ephraim Usman lauded the Nigerian Military for their sacrifice and efforts toward restoring lasting peace in Plateau State and Nigeria.He assured the security agencies of the support of his administration towards peace building and restoration of lasting peace in the State. He admonished the People to embrace peaceful coexistence and harmonious living so that government will concentrate in providing dividends of democracy to the populace as seen on the development strides of the present administration in the State.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman Mr. Musa Audu appreciated the Commander Operation Safe Haven for finding them worthy to serve in the community and assured that they will work assiduously to ensure lasting peace is achieved.

Representative of the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman Bassa LGC, Representative of the Director General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Elkanah Izam, Traditional Rulers and other Stakeholders in their separate remarks commended the idea of the Committee and promised to accord it the necessary support to succeed in its assignment.

The Committee will be co-chaired by Adam Yakubu with Joseph Chudu as Secretary.

Highlights of the event were the administering of oath of office by the Commander Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Gen. Abubakar, presentation of certificates by the Representative of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Chief Ephraim Usman and group photograph.

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Maj. Gen. Abubakar Warn Criminals, Crisis Merchants and Communities Harbouring Criminals, Constitutes Peace Committee for Irigwe Land