The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Major General Folusho Oyinlola, on Thursday met with stakeholders, including farmers and herders to strategize on how to quell the renewed crisis in Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
At the meeting, General Oyinlola stated that the stakeholders’ engagement was a strategic necessity towards sustainable peace, security and development in Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas and by extension, Plateau State, commending “the good people of Jos South and Riyom for their remarkable commitment to peace and coexistence over the years.”
The Commander however expressed the concerns of security agencies about the prevailing acts of farm destruction and cattle rustling in parts of Riyom LGA, noting that these activities contribute to the triggers of crisis “and should be rightly condemned in order to foster mutual understanding and respect between herders and farmers.”
He emphasised the importance of community-based conflict resolution mechanisms where traditional, religious and community leaders must be at the forefront of dialogue between aggrieved parties.
General Oyinlola reminded the stakeholders that hostility is not the best way to resolve any crisis, but will only aggravate pain, destruction and deep- seated hatred, urging the people to “understand one another, address grievances and forge a common ground for peaceful coexistence.”
The Commander added that while the non-kinetic approach of resolving conflict is being pursued, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN are resolute to flush out arm-carrying criminals within its Joint Operations Area, further imploring the LGAs to provide an accurate biometric database of residents and immigrants in order to reduce the risks pose by undocumented individuals.
Stakeholders, including the Chairmen of Riyom and Jos South LGAs who spoke at the meeting, said taking up arms against one another cannot solve the crises rather than aggravate them, stressing the importance of the different ethnic groups co-existing and respecting each other.
According to the statement on the stakeholders engagement by the Spokesperson of Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, “they decried the negative impacts of the crisis on the young generation; growing up with the idea of a society marred with violence and needless killings. Also, the stakeholders agreed that all infractions must be reported to security agencies without resorting to self-help where human lives are threatened and lost.
“They further called for the strengthening of the judicial system to deliver harsh punishment to perpetrators of attacks caught in the act or convicted after investigations. This, they noted would discourage others from taking part in criminal ventures. The stakeholders urged security agencies to leverage the technology to protect communities, and expose criminal attackers for immediate action.”
The Special Guest of Honour and Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, stated that government is working round the clock to prevent any further attacks against the people.
Represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Community Relations, the Governor said government will not relent in protecting the people, urging them “to eschew bitterness, be objective and work together to fight the menace of insecurity in the State.”
He, encouraged security agencies to redouble efforts in curtailing security threats that might further emanate from LGAs.
The engagement which involved stakeholders from Riyom and Jos South, had in attendance heads of security agencies, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and community leaders. Others include youth representatives, women leaders and government functionaries.
