Some peace advocacy groups in the country have commended the military special task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) for the breakthrough in the peace-building efforts in Plateau and Kaduna states.
They expressed happiness that at last peace and harmony which had eluded the two neighboring states due to desperate acts of some adversaries, have been restored.
The groups identified the deployment of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches toward achieving the aims and objectives of OPSH, by its Commander and General Officer Commanding, the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, Major Gen. AE Abubarker as the major strategy that resulted in the feat recorded.
Releasing their assessment of progress in the peace efforts, the three groups, operating as Conference of Plateau Peace Builders Network (CPPBN); Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI), and Conference of Southern Kaduna Peace Ambassadors (CSKPA), in a joint statement on Saturday, insisted that they were very pleased with the progress made on security under the leadership of the Major Gen. Abubarker.
The statement was signed by CPPBN’s National President, Dr. Dung Bot, the Executive Director of GOPRI, Amb Melvin Ejeh, and the National Coordinator of CSKPA,
Dr Mathew Kure, respectively.
They, however, called on all citizens of Plateau and Kaduna states to encourage and continue to support OPSH in delivering on its mandate even as they thanked the Commander for his steadfastness, patriotism, and successes achieved so far.
The groups commended the efforts of OPSH through Operation Hakorin Damisa IV for restoring peace, particularly to Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Bokkos local government areas of Plateau State and the subsequent relocation of most of the IDPs to their ancestral homes, described the achievement as the fulfillment of the greatest wish of the residents.
“Having taken stock of the situation in Plateau and Kaduna states as peace advocacy groups, we wish to submit our findings encapsulated in this joint statement that Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) has made a significant breakthrough in peace-building efforts in the above-mentioned states.
“It is heartwarming that the leadership of OPSH has finally brought sanity by riding Plateau and Kaduna states free of the nation’s adversaries, who had hitherto killed and maimed innocent residents unprovoked besides the destruction of property worth several billions of naira.
“It gladdens our hearts to equally say that we discovered during our independent assessment that many of our brothers and sisters who were displaced from their ancestral homes, thus seeking refuge in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Mangu local government as a result of these unwarranted attacks, have since been relocated to their ancestral homes.
“These remarkable feats which are the first of its kind since the crises of different dimensions engulfed Plateau and Kaduna states, were made possible through the relentless efforts of OPSH and its Commander.,” the groups said
The peace-building groups, going further, said they were particularly happy over the recent success recorded by OPSH by neutralizing several bandits and further arresting more than 43 other criminals who committed murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and cattle rustling in some communities in plateau states and other areas under its responsibility.
“We also wish to commend the patriotic efforts of the GOC 3 Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven and his gallant men.
for some major milestones in Southern Kaduna. We are particularly happy for the prompt arrest of the principal suspects who burnt and killed a Seminarian in Fadan Kamatan Parish Church of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, sometime in September, this is another breakthrough we are proud of;
“The arrest of a major gun runner in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and the recovery of over 26 assorted weapons used to terrorize people and cause unrest in the general area was highly commendable.
“Also, the prompt arrest of the two killers of Mrs Dorathy Jonathan of Afana village in Southern Kaduna, sometime in early September, and neutralizing more than 11 bandits in the same General area of southern Kaduna is a thing of great joy to us as peace workers.
“We also wish to further applaud the Commander of Operation Safe Haven and his men for also complementing the role of NDLEA in fighting drug cartels in Southern Kaduna and Plateau State which is now a great sign of relief to residents and parents,” the statement read.
While noting that the achievements were not recorded without the support of the people of both states, the groups appealed to the public to continue to assist troops with useful information as they work continuously to get rid of all criminal elements operating within their joint operations area.
While reaffirming its support to the task force, the groups reiterated the need for the people of the affected states to continue to support the task force in their quest to secure the areas.
They expressed confidence in the GOC and the OPSH Commander, saying with support from citizens, he would place a lasting peace in the two states.
“We urge the good people of Kaduna and Plateau states to continue to support the OPSH under the indefatigable Commander, Major General AE Abubarker to enable deliver effectively on his assignment.
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