3 division, OPSH meet stakeholders to tackle security concerns on the Plateau

Headquarters 3 Division, Nigerian Army, and Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Jos held a stakeholders’ meeting with community leaders from Fann District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area Plateau State on Friday.

The meeting, which was held at Headquarters 3 Division Auditorium, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos, was geared towards fashioning modalities to deal with the increasing spate of criminalities including arms proliferation and cattle rustling in Fann District of Plateau State.

The 3 Division/OPSH recently concluded a follow-on operation in Fann District following the killing of an officer of OPSH during a raid at gunrunners’ hideout at Sangasa on July 10, 2024, leading to the recovery of over 30 assorted weapons as well as military accouterments.

In his opening remarks, the Commander OPSH and General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, expressed displeasure over the continuous acts of few individuals in Fann District, which have resulted in loss of lives and property despite efforts to checkmate the ugly trend.

He further pointed out that the criminals perpetrating the violence and criminalities in Fann District hibernate within the communities, stating that some are well known to the community members.

The GOC further emphasised the negative impact of criminal activities on the stability and security of the district, adding that the criminals were perpetrating the acts for their personal interest and not for the benefit of the community.

He further noted that the criminals’ attempt to give ethno-religious colourations to the security situation in the area was targeted at inciting people so as to create a favourable condition for their selfish agenda to thrive.

Abubakar implored the stakeholders to learn to forgive one another of real or perceived grievances, avoid rancour and also advise their wards to always seek peaceful resolution to crisis and follow established procedure to address their grievances.

In their separate remarks, the Gwom Rwei of Gwol, HRH Da Edward Gyang; the Gwom Rwei of Fann, HRH Iliya Dashwei and the Liaison Officer to the Governor of Plateau State for Barkin Ladi Constituency, Philip Jwe, said that communities in Fan District have not discharged their responsibility of guiding their children with good morals creditably.

They apologised for the ugly incident in the area and promised that the perpetrators of crimes in Fann would be fished out. While soliciting for continuous engagement, they all appreciated the efforts of 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven for agreeing to meet with stakeholders from the district towards achieving lasting peace in Fan District.

The President, Berom Youth Moulder Association, Solomon Dalyop, on his part, also appreciated the kind gesture of the GOC, 3 Division, towards ensuring safety of lives and property on the Plateau, promising to work with youths in the state to support the efforts of troops and other security agencies to rid the state of criminalities.

The stakeholders’ meeting ended with a renewed commitment from all participants to intensify efforts in combating the criminal elements responsible for perpetrating violence in the area.