Comments by the member representing Riyom/Barkin Ladi at the House of Representatives, Barrister Istifanus Gyang, on the performance of the Special Task Force (STF) recently renamed Operation Safe Haven, is capable of undermining the morale of personnel, the operation’s spokesman said.
“The lawmaker’s comments are far removed from the reality on ground in Plateau. His comments are most sad and unfortunate, especially coming from one occupying a high office. They are capable of undermining the morale of men who are putting their lives on the line to restore normalcy on the Plateau,” Captain Ikedichi Iweha said yesterday.
Rep. Gyang recently moved a motion for President Muhammadu Buhari to give a marching order to the military high command to end the crisis between herders and peasants on the Plateau. He was also reported as saying, “the performance of the STF has left much to be desired.” He accused the STF of overlooking arms attack on peasant communities, and “ only rising up when peasants try to defend themselves”.
But Captain Iweha said the comments are capable of causing problems rather than resolving issues on the Plateau. He said the operation was aware of how troublemakers were armed on the Plateau. He stressed that their sponsors were the problem, and not the STF which he said, “is reaching record levels in tackling the problem.”
He said both Berom and Fulani herdsmen are well armed on the Plateau, a development which he added was well known to the immediate past government of Jonah Jang. The STF spokesman also said the STF expected the cooperation of well meaning leaders on the Plateau, to stem the crisis.