By Ralph Madugu
As part of its efforts to implement the recommendations of the 36-man joint committee report on achieving lasting peace in selected local government areas of Plateau State, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) has added more members into the Peace Implementation Committee set up by the Commander of OPSH and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General AE Abubakar to implement in Jos.
Recall that the OPSH had in February 2022 set up a 26-Man peace implementation committee headed by a retired jury, Justice Daniel Longji as part of measures employed by the OPSH to address disagreements among communities in Plateau State without resorting to force except in combating criminality.
Inaugurating the additional committee members, Major General Abubakar also warned citizens of the state against harboring criminals causing havoc in the state.
The OPSH Commander, who doubles as the GOC 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, said that the 26-Man peace implementation committee inaugurated in February 2022 had succeeded in bringing peace to the LGAs earlier assigned to it through dialogue and community engagement.
He stated that that robust non-kinetic measures have been employed by OPSH to address disagreements without resorting to force except in combating criminality.
While urging the committee members to carry out their responsibilities diligently devoid of bias or favor stating that peace can only be achieved through collective efforts of the people, the OPSH commander disclosed that the additional committee members were carefully selected to represent various interest groups and stakeholders.
General Abubakar 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 remarks at the event held at the at Headquarters 3 Division, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Jos, Deputy Commander OPSH, Deputy Commissioner of Police T Iyua, assured that 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, Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Architect Samuel Jatau, applauded the commander OPSH for his “high-sense of commitment to peace” which he opined was advantageous to the State to regain its rightful place in the comity of Nigerian States.
The SGS reiterated that the 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, HRH Da John Hirse and Chairman Mangu LGA Transition Implementation Committee, Hon. Markus Artu, pledged their commitments to working with relevant authorities to safeguard the communities.
They also promised to support the initiative and accord the needed support to the committee to enable them deliver on their mandate.
Responding Chairman of the 55-Man Peace Implementation Committee, Justice Daniel Longji (rtd), reiterated the commitment of the committee members to dedicate themselves to the tasks ahead promising that through the expansion of the scope of the committee, more successes would be recorded in the State.
Other dignitaries who attended the occasion include; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brigadier General GG Shippi (rtd), traditional rulers from Mangu, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos as well as the Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen of Bokkos, Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGAs amongst others.
Highpoint of the occasion was oath taking and presentation of appointment letters to the new committee members.