Operation Whirl Stroke brokers peace between Tiv, Jukun

• ’ISWAP use propaganda to retain sponsors, fighters’
• Army rescues six from terrorists in Borno, seeks media support
Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), yesterday, brokered peace between the warring Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups of Taraba and Benue states as part of its non-kinetic action to promote peaceful coexistence.The commander, Major General Adeyemi Yekini, while addressing the two communities and critical stakeholders at Kente, a border town in Taraba, averred that the peace meeting was meant to end the incessant crises between the Tiv and Jukun of the two states.

Our correspondent gathered that critical stakeholders at peace meeting include traditional rulers, political and opinion leaders, as well as youths from the two sides. Yekini told journalists shortly after the meeting that the crisis between the two groups were in two dimensions, and had resulted in loss of lives and property in both states.

Meanwhile, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) says the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has resorted to misinformation and propaganda to retain sponsors and fighters in Lake Chad region.

The propaganda, according to the task force, was also to impress potential recruits.In a statement yesterday in Maiduguri, spokesman of MNJTF, Col. Timothy Antigha, described ISWAP’s claim of attacks as misleading and should be dismissed.

“The reality is that in an effort to shore up its waning influence in the region, ISWAP’s skirmishes were destroyed. These include heavy personnel and equipment. It can in no way justify the falsehood contained in its propaganda publications of June 7, 2019.”In another development, troops of 121 Battalion of Nigerian Army have rescued two women and four children held captive in Gwadala village, Borno State, in an ambush against fleeing terrorists.

Spokesman of Operation Lafiya
Dole, Col. Ado Isa, disclosed yesterday in Maiduguri that the aim of Operation ‘Halaka Dodo’ was to completely flush out remnants of Boko Haram. Saying that the flush out could ensure the security of lives and property in the Northeast, he urged communities within the theatre to share credible information against insurgency and terrorism.

However, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Nigerian Army, Major General Usman Mohammed, has sought media support in the fight against bandits.The negative activities of some media practitioners, especially social media, he added, hamper efforts against security challenges in the country.

Mohammed stated this yesterday in Owerri, Imo State, at a seminar on ‘The Role of Social Media in Civil Military Relations as a Non-Kinetic Tool for enhanced Peace and Security in Nigeria’ organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs, in partnership with Security Affairs Limited.

The army chief said social media practitioners had important roles to play for peace and security; hence they should take cognisance of the implications of their reports.