The Irigwe village in the Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State was given three months by the military on Wednesday under Operation Safe Haven to put a stop to the frequent attacks in the area.
Numerous people have been killed and property destroyed as a result of the attacks; the most recent victim was 32-year-old farmer Bulus Joseph, who was fatally hacked on his Maiyanga community farm last Tuesday.
Tension in the council area had been raised by the death of two herders and the slaughter of their 150 cows the next day.
Moreover, a news reporter’s research found that between February 11, 2024, and May 8, 2024, gunmen killed at least 15 people in the village, the bulk of them were farmers.
During the inauguration of a 17-member community peace implementation committee on Wednesday, Maj-Gen A.E. Abubakar, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven, who is responsible for preserving peace in the state, announced that the military would take the heavy hand after three months.
The venue for the occasion was the 3 Division Barracks in the state’s Bassa LGA.
The Nigerian Army’s General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Abubakar, denounced and deemed intolerable the recent surge in violence in the region.
“It is unacceptable that after two decades, the people are still living in hostilities,” the GOC stated.
Speaking on why he had to inaugurate another peace committee, the army chief said the initial committee had relaxed its duties.
“The Operation Safe Haven has continued to adopt robust non-kinetic strategies towards fostering peaceful coexistence on the Plateau. We have engaged early warning mechanisms and quick responses to distress calls.
“Similarly, we have used dialogue, symposiums and sporting activities to bring people of different ethno religious backgrounds to live harmoniously as one people.
“Just last month, we held the finals of the youth football tournament at Rwang Pam Township Stadium. Our goal was to bring youths from all the local government areas of Plateau State and the adjoining state of Kaduna together to channel their God-given energy and skills towards bridging the gap created by continuous crises and hostilities.
“In furtherance of peace-building efforts in Irigweland, the Mbra Ngwe of Irigweland inaugurated a 17-man committee to implement the recommendations of a 36-man committee as it affects Irigweland.
“However, the activities of the committee declined over time and issues of redundancy led to a relapse in the peace-building efforts as of last week.
“This necessitated the dissolution of the former committee on May 10, 2024, and the subsequent establishment of a new 17-man peace committee in Irigwe land, which is being inaugurated today,” he said.
He reiterated the commitment of the military task force to achieving peace objectives in Plateau State.
Abubakar warned those harbouring criminals in any part of the state to desist, as Operation Safe Haven would not hesitate to deal with anyone found wanting.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, speaking at the event, thanked the military commander and his men for working to restore permanent peace in Bassa and other parts of the state.
Mutfwang, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ephraim Usman, maintained that his administration was determined to bring lasting peace to the troubled communities.
“The people are willing to sleep with their two eyes closed. The military, police, civil defence and other security agents have done well.
“As a government, we will continue to collaborate and support the work of Operation Safe Haven to achieve the peace objectives in Plateau,” the governor stated.
Speaking on behalf of his co-chairman, Adamu Yakubu, the chairman of the Peace Implementation Committee, Musa Audu, gave his assurance that the body would carry out its duty.
Members of the committee are chosen from among the Fulani herders and the indigenous people.
