By Polycarp Auta



On assumption of duty as the 12th Commander, Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, declared that the operation would largely rely on non-kenitic approach to restore lasting peace in its areas of joint operation.

The task force, since its inception 10 years ago, has the mandate to maintain and restore lasting peace to Plateau and part of Bauchi and Kaduna states.

Immediately he took over leadership, the commander swung into action by visiting relevant stakeholders in Plateau; from traditional to religious and community leaders, particularly in crisis prone communities, to sue for peace.

As part of confidence building, the commander also visited troops of the task force stationed in the hinterlands and charged them to be more dedicated, resilient and proactive in their duties, promising to support them at all times.

Also, in this new approach, the Commander ordered that all check points hitherto mounted by the task force within the city centre be dismantled and troops were deployed into the interior areas of state.

In a meeting with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), to discuss possible ways of ending cattle rustling, believed to be one of factors responsible for the insecurity in the state, the commander promised to end the menace

Okonkwo, who promised to recover all the rustled cows and bring the perpetrators to book, urged the cattle breeders to eschew violence, avoid taking laws into their hands and embrace peace at all times.

“Appreciable progress has been made in recovering some of the rustled cows, while steps to recover the remaining ones are underway.

“The state government is aware of your predicaments and efforts are being made to address them,”

Similarly, in a visit to the Acting President, Bassa Traditional Council and Brra Nggwe Irigwe, Rev. Ronku Aka, the commander urged traditional rulers in the state to support its bid at ensuring lasting peace in all parts of the state.

Most communities in Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau were recently attacked by unidentified gunmen, a situation that led to loss of lives and property worth millions.

Okonkwo, who revealed some of the strategies adopted by the operation to tackle all forms of criminality in the state, added that the support and cooperation of the traditional rulers was key.

According to him, the task force would continue to engage critical stakeholders in its efforts to end attacks and counter attacks in the state.

He explained that the task force would largely adopt the non-kinetic approach in stemming the wanton killings that has over time engulfed the state.

“We have adopted in some approaches to end the lingering crises in this area and the state in general.

“Part of this approach is constant dialogue with relevant stakeholders, and the traditional institution which is key in this regard.

“This approach forms part of the non-kinetic activities adopted by the operation to stem wanton killings in the state,”

The Commander noted that troops would continue to carry out coordinated operations within its areas of operation in order to restore total peace.

Okonkwo also warned crisis merchants to desist from their evil act, added that anyone caught would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The commander appealed to the Fulani and Irigwe communities in the area to eschew violence and embrace peace for the growth and progress of the area and state in general

Believing in the notion of collaboration to curtail insecurity, Okonkwo met with heads of other security agencies in the state, to ensure synergy in curbing the lingering attacks and counter attacks in the state.

In a visit to Maj.-Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Armoured Division, Maxwell Cantonment,Rukubu Barracks,Jos, the Commander sought close partnership with the division in combatting insecurity in its areas of operation.

Okonkwo, who said Plateau was before now known for peace, promised to do all within his human powers to restore lasting peace to the nooks and crannies of the state and called for support and cooperation of the Division to actualise its mission.

He promised to enhance the existing relationship between the OPSH and 3 Division toward achieving harmonious relationship among citizens of state.

Angbazo, on his part promised to work closely with OPSH in its bid to restore total peace in Plateau and across its area of operations, stressing that the existing relationship between the duo had yielded positive results in the past, hence would be consolidated upon for the better.

To actualise its core mandate, Okonkwo assured residents of Plateau that his officers and men would remain neutral and professional in the fight against insecurity in the state.

Okonkwo said the personnel of the operation would not take sides with any individual or group of persons in order to win the trust and confidence of the generality of people

“A lot has been done in fighting insecurity in areas under our operation, but we shall consolidate on the gains already achieved

“We shall mostly use non-kinetic target approach to nip insecurity in the bud.

“Most importantly, we shall remain neutral and professional so that we can gain the trust of the people,”

Okonkwo further said that troops of the operation would be proactive in responding to distress calls, adding it would maximise the limited resources at its disposal to produce result.

As part of Civil-Military Relation (CMR) and to gain the trust of the people, the task force has constructed four boreholes, with 10 under construction, and renovated blocks of classrooms in various communities of Plateau.

Similarly, the Army Headquarters (AHQ) had constructed and equipped a clinic at Tigi in Ryom local government area of the state which would soon be inaugurated and put to use.

Speaking at the inauguration of some of the projects at Nkindero and Dutse-Uku communities of Bassa local government area of the state, Okonkwo said the gesture aimed at cementing relationship with its host communities and also part of its non-kinetic approach in fighting insecurity.

The Commander added that the initiative was part of the “Operation Accord” recently inaugurated by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) towards stemming the tide of insecurity in some parts of the country.

“This initiative is aimed at cementing our relationship with host communities, particularly as we are poised to restoring lasting peace to this area.

“We have achieved some level of peace in these communities and other parts of the state, and it is increasing day by day.

“We can’t achieve peace by fire, but it is a collective thing. So, what we are doing today will further promote peaceful coexistence among the people,”

Also speaking at the event, Rear-Admiral Habila Ngalabak, the Chief, Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC), DHQ, said the projects aimed at promoting civil-military relations.

“The DHQ has initiated and developed these projects in order to promote Civil-Military Relations.

“The purpose is to win the hearts and minds of the rural people, but most importantly, to give the rural dwellers a stake.

“It is to show the people that we are not only concerned about fighting insecurity, but their welfare is of great importance to the military,”

Inaugurating the projects, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, thanked the military for the gesture, adding that it would go a long way to engender peace in the state.

The governor assured of government support for military to succeed.

“We deeply appreciate the military hierarchy for supporting us in providing amenities in critical sectors of health, water and education to our people.

“We thank you for not only protecting our lives, but providing development for our people,”

The governor seized the opportunity and advised traditional and religious leaders in the state to ensure total peace is restored to all parts of the Chiefdom.

In furtherance of gaining the trust of the people, the task force also distributed palliatives to communities under its area of operations to cushion the hardships occasioned by the advent of Coronavirus (Covid-19).

The commander explained that the distribution formed part of its ongoing Operation Accord, would also engender peaceful coexistence among inhabitants of the communities.

“As part of Operation ACCORD, OPSH has been engaged in a couple of Civil-Military Relations activities.

“We have shared palliatives to several communities in six local government areas of Plateau and in other communities within our areas of operations to cushion the hardships brought by COVID-19.

“This is just a token, because it can never be enough. It is just our little way of supporting the communities to coexist peacefully devoid of religious or ethnic differences,”

Some of the items distributed include: cartons of noodles, seasoning, cooking oil, sugar and spaghetti, packets of salt, body cream, tooth paste and bathroom slippers.

To ensure the dissemination of accurate information on its activities, the commander tasked journalists in the state to be objective and professional in reporting security matters.

He urged reporters to first consider national security and the interest of the people when reporting, adding that they should get their facts clear before going to the press.

“I want to thank you for the support you have rendered to my predecessor. I urge you to extend same to me. But I want to urge you to be objective and professional when reporting our activities.

“National security is very important and it should be our collective concern, focus and interest. I am not saying you should hide anything, but try and get your facts clear before going to press,”

The commander promised to work closely with media practitioners in the state, adding that officers and men of the task force would be friendly to Journalists.

“My operation will mostly be in the field and we shall synergise with other security agencies to end all forms of insecurity in our area of operations.

“It will not be easy, but we shall try our best and God’s willing insecurity here will be a thing of the past,”

Okonkwo called on the members of the public to cooperate with the task force by providing relevant information to sustain its operations against banditry and other criminal activities in the state.

With all the new strategy in place, stakeholders are optimistic that insecurity in Plateau would soon be a thing of the past and would return to its original state as the home of peace, tourism and hospitality.