Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), maintaining peace in Plateau and some parts of Bauchi and Kaduna states, said it lost one officer and three soldiers from January this year to date while trying to protect lives and property.
The spokesperson for the team, Major Ishaku Takwa, disclosed this while responding to a press release issued by some ethnic groups in collaboration with youths of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state.
The association had alleged that the team was aiding the recent killings in some parts of Plateau state.
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Major Takwa, who denied the allegation, said the claim was an attempt to deliberately mislead the citizens of the state, calling on all and sundry to discard the information.
In a release sent to Daily Trust, on Wednesday night, major Takwa said, “Operation Safe Haven wishes to clearly state that these claims are totally false and should be disregarded by well-meaning Nigerians. This latest attacks on the image of the Operation is a calculated attempt to dampen the morale of our troops in the professional performance of their duties.
“Operation Safe Haven has made a concerted effort in stemming the tide of communal clashes, reprisals and other forms of criminalities in Plateau.
“The troops of Operation Safe Haven under the command of Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Ali, (a thorough-bred professional, a detribalized Nigerian and a peace loving military officer) are well motivated, committed and ready to make greater sacrifices for the total restoration of peace and security to Plateau and beyond.
“From January 2022 to date alone, Operation Safe Haven lost an officer and 3 soldiers to banditry attacks and criminalities. It is therefore worrisome to note that the group claims that Operation Safe Haven is abetting criminal attacks on communities and should be held responsible for lives lost.
“Our record also indicates that since August 2021, there were no cases of attacks on communities in Jos North and South, Barikin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos local government areas. The mischief makers are only trying to draw us back after numerous achievements recorded in the mentioned areas.”