Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has attended a security stakeholders meeting with Chiefs, community and religious leaders of Plateau State, Northcentral Nigeria, urging them to realize that the decision to live together peacefully with one another rest largely with them.
In a statement by Thursday by Major Ishaku Takwa, a Military Information Officer, General Irabor told the meeting held at the held at the Plateau State Government House, Rayfield, Jos, that as the Armed Forces of Nigeria do everything within its mandate to stabilize the State, it is the duty of traditional, community and religious leaders to champion the peace process in their domains.
He noted that lasting peace could only be achieved when all the people understand each other and respect one another.
The CDS, who revealed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has a duty to create the avenue for peace to triumph, noted that the Armed Forces would accelerate its activities towards sustaining peace and stability on the Plateau.
Stating that security agencies need the support and encouragement of the people to achieve their mandate in the State, the Defence Chief further disclosed that the Defence Headquarters has activated the early warning and early response mechanism to prevent possible attack on innocent communities.
He also said that security has been beefed up in volatile communities and therefore urged the people to have confidence in the security agencies.
Earlier in his remarks, His Excellency, Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau state, thanked the CDS for ensuring that adequate military machinery was deployed to ensure peace is maintained on the Plateau. He noted that criminals must be identified and brought to justice by all means.
Governor Lalong maintained that his administration is ready to support the Armed Forces in its commitment to stem emerging security threat in the state. He thereafter thanked religious and traditional leaders for prioritizing the safety of the people and warned against inciting statements which he said must be discouraged among religious leaders for genuine peace to thrive.
At the palaces of Brra Ngwe Rigwe, Rt Rev Ronku Aka of Irigwe land and Ujah Anaguta HRM Pozo Johnson Magaji, the CDS reassured the traditional rulers of his determination to stabilize troubled communities on the Plateau.
While urging the royal fathers to educate their subjects on the imperatives of peace and togetherness, General Irabor also called for sustained collaboration with OPSH for sustainable security in their respective domain.