By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Special Task Force (STF), mandated to restore peace in Plateau State, Southern Kaduna and some parts of Bauchi State, has revealed why the 2024 farming season will yield expected results.
The Taskforce code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), said at the beginning of this year’s farming season, troops were strategically placed on alert to arrest insurgents who unleashed terror on farmers.
Recall that the Chairman of Mile 12 international market in Lagos, Mr. Shegu Jibrin, has blamed insufficient supply of food stuffs on insecurity, which he said has caused the hike in price of grains, tomatoes and pepper in Nigeria.
The hike in price of grains and other commodities have hit more than 500 percent price hike across the Nigerian market, our correspondent reports.
“Except the government tackles insecurity, the problem of high prices of tomatoes and peppers will remain unsolved”, the Mile 12 market Chairman had said.
However, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar said to tackle the menace he charged troops to intensify efforts in waging war against banditry, criminal elements, especially those who attack farmers and scare them from cultivating their crops.
The Commander who also doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, disclosed this at the Eid-el-Kabir luncheon, organised for troops of the operation on Monday in Jos.
He said scores of bandits have been arrested and weapons recovered as well as rustled cattle, especially in Manguna, the Bokkos Local Government Area and other parts of the States including other locations within its area of operation.
“The feat followed intensified operations by personnel of the Task Force”, he said.
He continued: “As part of our resolve to completely eradicate banditry and criminal elements and ensure a successful farming season and security of lives and properties, our intensified operations continue to yield results.
“This has led to the recovery of different calibers of arms and ammunition in different parts of Plateau.
“Specifically on June 10, OPSH tactical team raided a suspected criminal hideout at Manguna village in Bokkos Local Government Area and, during the operation, troops recovered one G3 rifle, two revolver rifles and one magazine with rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“We also recovered a quiver with 20 arrows and 47 herds of cattle, while a total of six bandits and cattle rustlers were captured with the rifles and ammunition,” he said.
The commander further stated that the troops also raided the Pandam forest in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of the state and recovered various weapons and ammunition.
“Similarly on June 12, troops, acting on credible intelligence, conducted clearance operations at suspected bandits’ hideouts at Pandam forest in Qua’an Pan.
“During the operation, troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 magazines and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special.
“Troops are currently sustaining operations in the area to intercept and neutralise the fleeing terrorists,” he added.
The GOC said the troops also arrested 29 suspected members of a cult group known as Sara-suka, with fabricated rifles, pistols and other assorted dangerous weapons recovered in Jos.
The Army boss lauded troops for their efforts and said the Sallah luncheon was to encourage them to do more.
