Gen. Abubakar leads Defence Minister in stakeholder engagement in resolving Plateau crises
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Armoured Division, who is also the Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Sunday led opinion leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders from Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu, Wase and Riyom and other component of the military and security agencies responsible for peace and security at an engagement to resolve the lingering Crises on the Plateau.
The meeting with the minister was held at auditorium of the Maxwell Khobe where the minister expressed the Federal Government determination to end farmer/herder clashes in Plateau
The minister expressed regrets that despite the efforts of both the government and security agencies to nip the clashes in the bud, some elements are still bent on fomenting trouble.
He said that the Federal Government is highly disturbed that some people want to disrupt the current farming season.He described the clamour for partitioning of communities according to ethno-religious alignment as a recipe for disaster.
“The Federal Government will not entertain such demand capable of causing division and disaffection among Nigerians. Therefore living together is not an option but an obligation. This is evident in Mr President’s firm resolve to fight any secessionist agenda in any part of the country.
The minister said that the aim of this gathering is to interact with critical stakeholders in the state to fashion out modalities to address the latest security concerns, the increasing spate of farm destruction and cattle rustling that culminated in the recent attacks and reprisals in some parts of this State.
He said, “My presence here today is to fulfill my mandate as the Minister of Defence charged with the responsibility for the protection of our National territory both from external and internal aggressions.
“Therefore, I would not relent until the Federal Government of Nigerian and the Ministry of Defence deploy all assets to ensure our people sleep with their 2 eyes closed.
“But firstly, I must first express my displeasure over the recurring attacks and reprisals that resulted in loss of lives and property especially in Jol and Sho in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs in the recent times.
“These killings kept recurring despite the best effort of our security agencies on the Plateau; especially 3 Division/OPSH to ensure amicable settlements during any incidents involving attacks on cattle or farm destruction as well as cattle rustling.
“I am particularly saddened by the stance of some unscrupulous elements in some communities who vowed to disrupt farming activities during the ongoing raining season despite all efforts to resolve the security issues in your localities through diverse means.
“The continuous recurrence of famers/herders clashes not just in the Plateau but across other states of the federation is quite worrisome. As the nature have it, both famers and cattle breeders need each other to survive. He urged each side of the divide to the desist from violence and embrace peace as the only means for socio-economic growth in the country.
Speaking with senior officers and men earlier , the minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very pleased with their performance.
He urged them up continue to do their job so as to put to an end the lingering crisis on the Plateau.
The GOC assured the minister of the resolve of his men to get the job done. He said that he’s getting all the cooperation from the army headquarters and Plateau state government, which have made the task seamless.
He expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their cooperation in nipping the crises in the bud.
