By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Special Military Task Force, code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), in Plateau State, as part of its military/civil relationship has donated palliatives to 50 physically challenged persons, and 50 widows drawn from 4 chiefdoms of Sanga Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna.
The community gained the gesture for complying to a peaceful community engagement organised by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, held before the farming season.
“I recall that before the beginning of the farming season earlier this year, we all gathered here for a seminar to work out modalities for a successful farming season alongside herding activities without conflict.
“I am glad to observe that we have derived the dividend of that seminar as clashes and farm destructions reduced by over 60% this year based on available statistics.
“That is why we are also showcasing the display of bountiful harvest today. I thank you all”, Gen. Abubakar said on Friday in Sanga at the occasion of the palliatives distribution.
According to him: “I want to first and foremost appreciate the people of Sanga , for the support OPSH has been enjoying in the fight against criminality in Southern Kaduna joint operational area.
“The fight against criminality is like a system that we all have a part to play and collectively fight against.
“To the various heads of sister security agencies, traditional rulers from the 4 chiefdoms, I enjoin you all not to relent on your oars but continue to give OPSH the support it needs in combating criminality.
Our correspondent reports that the OPSH distributed Rice, Salt, Seasoning for cooking and crutches to the disabled.
Speaking at the occasion, the Army boss said: “The occasion you are here for is part of OPSH non-kinetic approach in conflict resolution and maintenance of peaceful coexistence in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and parts of Bauchi states, even as we commence Operation Golden Peace to ensure a peaceful harvest period and secured yuletide season.
“Today, OPSH will be distributing palliatives to 50 physically challenged persons and 50 widows drawn from the 4 chiefdoms of Sanga LGA.
“This is our little way of encouraging the widows and those with physical challenges in OPSH operating environment as part of our non Kinetic lines of operation.
“I would like to remind us all that the widows and physically challenged persons form a part of our society that we cannot ignore.
“This is because some of the women are made widows due to the civil unrest and crises, while for the physically challenged, some were born with the challenges and some in the course of their life.
“Despite their status, they still contribute a lot to the economy, growth and national development of our nation.
“Permit me here to mention that some members of the armed forces, and other sister security agencies also became physically challenged during the course of discharging their duties to Nigeria.
“Thus, we collectively share in their pains and struggles. Furthermore, the drive of our COAS, Lt Gen. OO Oluyede NAM, is hinged on sound administration through impactful welfare programmes which aptly aligns with this programme today”, he said.
Also in his remarks, the the Sanga Forward Operating Base (FOB), Commander, Major Mohammed Galadima, said most of the incessant crisis witnessed in the area before the arrival of the GOC has made a lot of women widows as well as others physically challenged.
According to him: “Most of the crises we witness over time have made a lot of women widows today. Likewise, the physically challenged persons are found in all of our society which we cannot ignore their plight and challenges.
“This is because despite their challenges they form part of our society and have their quota to contribute to the overall economic growth and development of our nation.
“An example of this is one of our physically challenged who contributed his quota in a cultural dance as part of entertainment.
“It gives me joy today to witness this distribution of palliatives to the widows and physically challenged in Sanga. This gesture is aimed at encouraging the widows and physically challenged persons to continue to co-exist”, he said.
