Operation Safe Haven Warns Crisis Merchants as it Receives Report from Peace & Reconciliation Committee

In order to find solutions to the incessant violent crisis in Bassa, Jos South, Jos North Local Government Areas and other parts of the State, the Special Task Force codenamed Operation Safe Haven on 11th September, 2021 constituted a 35-man Committee to cross fertilize ideas and come up with report on how peace could be achieved in the troubled communities.

Submitting the 94-paged report today, Chairman of the Committee and National President of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Prince Robert Ashi applauded the Commander Operation Safe Haven for the wisdom in setting up the Committee whose membership cuts across all the ethnic groups in the three (3) Local Government Areas and consisted of persons with impeccable character and integrity.
He disclosed that the Committee involved persons affected by the violence crisis who were brought together to brainstorm and proffer solutions that will help in addressing the insecurity bedevilling the areas.
He said the committee made sound recommendations which if implemented are capable of turning around the ugly trend of insecurity.

At the event, Director-General, Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), Joseph Lengmang, represented by Gayi Timothy the Director of Administration of the Agency said the Committee is apt as it reflects diversity and inclusion considering that it involved stakeholders and the ordinary people from the Communities who are doing extraordinary things toward peace building. He lauded the stakeholders and citizens who are working for peace in the State.
He urged the public to always first see themselves as human before any consideration, saying in so doing greater peace will be attained.
He admonished the people to pursue restorative justice that is built around genuine love, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Commander Operation Safe Haven, Maj. General Ibrahim Ali said the wanton killings and destruction of property in the State led to engagements and consultations with stakeholders which informed the decision of setting up the Committee towards achieving lasting peace on the Plateau.
“One of the reasons for the committee is to allow stakeholders and the people take ownership of peace building”
He hinted that lasting peace can only be achieved through genuine dialogue and reconciliation by all aggrieved parties to the conflict, saying the committee’s report contained carefully fashioned out modalities that will aid the outfit, State Government and other security agencies in achieving their mandate of ensuring lasting peace on the Plateau.
He said the outfit has developed a robust non-kinetic approach in bringing peaceful coexistence among the people as well as improved its early warning signals and deployed sporting activities as a tool to ensure that people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds live peacefully with one another.

“I am optimistic that Operation Safe Haven will leave no stone unturned in ensuring Plateau State regains its glory of being the home of peace and tourism”
“Do not hesitate to give us the maximum cooperation and support to ensure that peace and development thrives in Plateau State” he said.

He urged Traditional Rulers, Community Leaders, youths and all citizens to give peace a chance.

Maj. Gen. Ali warned crisis merchants and those who allowed their communities to be used as hideouts for criminal elements to desist from such as the outfit will deal decisively with anyone found harbouring criminals irrespective of position or status in the society.
“Let us all be Ambassadors of Peace to build the Plateau of our dream”

In their separate remarks, the Dagwom Rwei Jos South LGA, HRH Da Amb. Nga Dangyang, the Braa Rigwe Rev. Ronku Akaa, the Ujah Anaguta represented by Barr. JK Chris and the Hardo Miango Alh. Wada Waziri lauded the Commander Operation Safe Haven for conceiving the idea of the committee and for being proactive.
They harped on the need for unity in diversity, Respect one another and the need to live peacefully avoiding things capable of igniting violence.

They called on the outfit to ensure the recommendations made are implemented.

The event which held at the Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven in Jos was attended by Traditional Rulers, Community Leaders, Heads of Security Agencies in the State, religious Leaders and Youths.