By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The newly posted Commander of the Special Task Force (STF), codename Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar who took over as the 17th Special Task Force Commander following the recent redeployment of senior military officers by the Nigeria Army has assured he was in the state to make sure there is peace and nothing short of it.
Matching actions with words Gen. Abubakar hit the ground running by temporarily relocating the headquarters of the taskforce to Mangu local government area of the State when crisis persists in the locality.
The Army boss took the decision when he was barely one day in office.
The relocation of the headquarters to Mangu in no time halted the incessant crisis that engulfed the area since April 2023.
The killings in the general area had claimed over 300 lives before the arrival of Gen. Abubakar.
Relocating the troops to Mangu, the Army General had said: “We are not here for games. I have temporarily relocated from the headquarters to Mangu until the killings are brought to a halt.
“We have had enough killings in Plateau and this has to stop.
“Wherever you find insecurity you can hardly find development in that area. So it is time we put this to a halt.
“We will not continue to tolerate those killing people, destroying houses and farm crops in our area of operation.
“We will be firm, decisive and fair to all in discharging our constitutional mandate of protecting lives and properties.
“Those whose stock-in-trade is killing innocent citizens must desist or be ready to face the consequences of their actions as the taskforce is ready to confront the security challenges bedeviling the State”, Abubakar had said.
The Military Commander who also doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army, continued to impress the general public as his directives to troops were yielding positive results.
Culprits’ connection with the killings have been paraded before newsmen. Bandits, Gunrunners, Kidnappers, Rapists, Drug peddlers, Insurgents and cattle rustlers have all been apprehended and displayed before the Media in just one month in office.
This is a testament that the Army General is living up to expectations, a civil society observer told our correspondent on Sunday.
Furthermore, the Spokesman for the Task Force, Capt. James Oya, had confirmed in a statement sent to our correspondent earlier in July 2023, that these never do wells have been getting the heat of troops deployed to restore peace.
The statement had said: “The recently launched Hakorin Damisa, (meaning Operation Leopard Teeth), designed to end the ongoing crisis in Mangu LGA of the State, is gaining victory in the fight against banditry.
“Troops of the operation neutralised several bandits, rescued kidnapped victims and recovered arms and ammunition.
“Troops while on operations on 26 July 2023, along Rugan/Basiru village of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State came under fire from suspected bandits and professionally responded, forcing the bandits to retreat.
“Troops recovered 2 x AK 47 Rifles with Registration Number 07873 and B-32134, 15 rounds of 7.62 mm Special, 3 x locally fabricated guns and a pair of military desert camouflage uniforms.
“Ten suspects were captured and are currently undergoing profiling. In the same vein, troops also thwarted an attempted attack on Mangun and Patlong villages in Mangu LGA. Troops decisively responded and scores of the bandits were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Similarly, troops on 25 July 2023 along road Janneret/ Washina Changal and Gyambwas all in Mangu LGA responded to firing from suspected bandits who fled on sighting their own troops. Troops in the process recovered 3 x motorcycles and 1 x locally fabricated gun. Troops on the same day responded to a distress call at Rumfar Gwamna village and rescued 5 kidnapped victims while recovering a Toyota Camry and Sharon cars. Troops also conducted operations to the criminal hideout at Unguwan Haruna, Kibam and Dogon Daji forest and rescued 4 victims while 2 suspected kidnappers were arrested”, Oya had said.
The crisis in Mangu LGA forced the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), with its potentiation camp in the community, to relocate to a safer place in Jos South, but with the pragmatic response of the Army Commander which has seen peace returned to the area, the NYSC is putting finishing touches on their arrangement to return back to their permanent orientation camp, our correspondent report.
