By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The General Officer Commanding, 3 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar has identified trigger to Plateau State conflict as cattle poisoning, drug abuse and other social vices as trigger to Plateau State crisis spanning over 20 years. “Activities of criminal groups such as arms trafficking, armed robbery, cattle rustling, cattle poisoning, drug smuggling as well as willful farm destruction and organised crime, has continue to exploit tensions and exacerbate the crisis”, the GOC who doubles as the Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), said on Friday, while addressing a stakeholders meeting in Jos.
The meeting, composed of traditional rulers and community leaders from 13 Districts in Barikin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas of the State, was aimed at consolidating the already fragile peace.
Pointing out the necessity of the meeting, the Military Commander urged the community leaders to fish out criminal elements living among them. He revealed that those fermenting trouble are working in synergy known as syndicates who must be flushed out.
Revealing the same to newsmen through the Spokesman, 3 Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Ishaku Takwa, the GOC said the syndicate have caused loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of innocent citizens as a result of reprisal attacks. “The syndicates cut across the ethno-religious groups”, the GOC said sparing no community.
“With this I call on all traditional rulers, community leaders, security agencies, and government institutions to jointly work together to put an end to this ugly trend.
“We cannot allow a few criminals committing nefarious activities for their selfish interest to disrupt the relative peace of the society”, Abubakar said.
Our correspondent reports that more than 60 suspects have been arrested, many neutralized as well as dangerous weapons and a cache of ammunition recovered in the last one month of sting operations launched by troops of OPSH in collaboration with local security networks.
