Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a multi-agency security task force maintaining peace in Plateau State, on Thursday, met with key stakeholders from Bokkos and Mangu LGAs following the recent resurgence of killings in the areas.
Daily Trust had reported that 15 people, including a student of Plateau State University, Bokkos, were last Saturday killed in night attacks on communities in Mangu and Bokkos LGAs.
At a meeting held at the headquarters of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army with representatives from both farming, Fulani communities and traditional leaders, the commander of OPSH, Major General A. E. Abubakar, expressed concern over the recurring breach of security, which has resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians.
Abubakar said some of the perpetrators of the recent attacks had been arrested and weapons and motorcycles recovered, assuring that troops would continue to conduct operations to bring the remaining perpetrators to justice.
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The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Muftwang, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ephraim Usman, said the people have lost trust in each other and the government must work to address the issue.
Muhammed Bawa, a representative of the Fulani group, called on stakeholders to ensure active participation in finding lasting solutions to the problem.
The Chairman of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), Solomon Datiri, emphasised the need for all stakeholders including people in the villages to participate in the meeting in order to understand the major problems affecting the communities.
Various stakeholders who spoke during the meeting stressed the need for genuine dialogue and forgiveness between warring parties for peace and economic prosperity.
They resolved that the people must help the government implement policies that will bring permanent peace to troubled areas in the state. They also affirmed their resolve to support security agencies in ensuring that normalcy is returned to all the affected communities.
