By Chijioke Kingsley
JOS (Sundiata Post) – The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, has said the relative peace enjoyed in Plateau State for more than four years necessitated the reason behind combining the office of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Dvision Nigerian Army and that of the Special Military Task Force code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).
Gen. Irabor stated this while on a courtesy call on Governor Simon Lalong on Wednesday in Jos to sympathise with the governor and people of the state over the unfortunate killings and renewed hostilities in the state which led to the loss lives and properties.
“We decided that the GOC 3Div will also double as the Commander of the Operation Safe Haven since the task was becoming less difficult since the return of relative peace in the state, he said.
The CDS emphasised that the Military would ensure that Plateau State retains it’s glory as one of the most peacful states in the country.
“We shall ensure we return peace back to Plateau. We shall not continue to allow our men and women to die unnecessarily.
“Military is not to be involved in internal security and the Joint Task Force was to compliment the efforts of other security agencies in peace efforts and then return back to the barracks and I want to assure you that this is achievable”, the CDS said.
In his remarks, Gov. Lalong lauded the presence of the Army boss in the state, adding that General Irabor has been of a tremendous help since he became the Chief of Defence Staff.
Lalong said for the past six years Plateau State held conversation on peace which yeilded great results, with the establishment of the Peace Building Agency.
He wondered why after such efforts, the state still witnessed killings in great magnitude.
“I always ask myself why do we keep having crisis, after so much efforts put in place by my Administration to ensure that we co-exist peacefully?”
I want to assure the people of Plateau State that we shall not relent our fight against Insurgents but double our efforts to ensure lasting peace in the state.
