by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
In his continued peace-building efforts on the Plateau, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major-General Folusho Oyinlola, has organized yet another Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting with critical stakeholders to strategize ways of addressing the security situation in Plateau.
Barkin-Ladi during the visit.
This was in an effort to de-escalate the growing security tension in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State orchestrated by a recent security breach.
While addressing the stakeholders, the Commander commended the people of Barkin-Ladi for their cooperation with security agencies and disposition to peaceful coexistence over the years.
He noted that, Barkin-Ladi must not be allowed to slide into unavoidable conflict by strengthening the early warning mechanism for prompt response and action.
While maintaining that, security agencies are intensifying their operations and combativeness to frustrate the activities of the marauders and bring them to justice, the GOC urged the stakeholders to prioritize dialogue over carrying of arms to settle longstanding grievances.
He further urged the people to assist security agencies with timely information to bolster early response efforts, in order to prevent breakdown of law and order.
The Commander also tasked the Local Government Area to provide an accurate biometric database of residents and immigrants, so as to reduce the risks posed by undocumented individuals.
Speaking also, the Dagwom Rwei and Chairman Barkin-Ladi Traditional Council, HRH Edward Bot, called for an immediate halt to the attacks, and urged parties concerned to operate within the ambit of the law. While the Chairman, Barkin-Ladi, Hon Gyang Pwajok, condemned under-age grazing, describing it as one of the triggers of crisis.
He appreciated the efforts put in place by OPSH to immediately respond to the security breach in Gashish community before degenerating into a complex situation.
Other stakeholders, who spoke at the engagement, expressed sadness over the wanton loss of lives resulting from the recent attacks in the general area. They decried the recent dynamics in the security situation, and called for a review of the documents guiding the activities of farmers and herders in the Local Government Area.
The engagement, which involved stakeholders from Sector 4 and Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gashish, had in attendance heads of security agencies, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and community leaders. Others include youth representatives, women leaders and government functionaries.