The Commander, Operation Safe Haven and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalam, has said the military will deal with criminals planning to hinder farming in Plateau, and parts of Kaduna and Bauchi states.
The GOC gave the warning during a seminar with the theme: “Peaceful Co-existence: Panacea for a Successful Farming Season” at the 3 Division Auditorium, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.
He said: “I will facilitate a hitch-free farming season in Plateau State and environs.”
He also highlighted the nexus between food security and national security and urged the stakeholders to create an enabling environment for farming and herding to be carried out side by side without fear or conflict.
He decried the spate of farm destructions and attacks on cattle in the past two months which have further aggravated tension in the affected communities that led to attacks.
The resource persons also endorsed the Bottom-Top Crisis Resolution Mechanism of OPSH which ensures that peace efforts are transmitted to the lowest echelon and
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Brigadier-General GG Shippi (rtd), as well as his Kaduna State counterpart, Senator Uba Sani, represented by his Special Adviser on Peace and Conflict Resolution, Mr Atiku Sankey, lauded OPSH for bringing peace to the three states.
Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, represented by the Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit, lauded Operation Safe Haven for the initiative and the roles the military isplaying to restore peace in the state and its environs.
The highlight of the seminar was the interactive session during which participants lauded the initiative of Operation Safe Haven and promised to do their best to ensure peaceful coexistence towards attaining a successful farming season in their communities.
