Army chief vows intense hunt for OPSH killers in Plateau

From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos

The Commander, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General Abdusalam Abubakar said the command will stop at nothing to give justice to three of it’s operatives who were recently gruesomely murdered on the Plateau.

Abubakar disclosed this at the headquarters of the OPSH during the celebration of the Eid-El-Fitr
he organized for the troops on Wednesday in Jos the state capital.

While urging personnel to honor the memory of their fallen comrades who had made the ultimate sacrifice,
he solemnly recalled the recent loss of three colleagues and pledged to pursue justice relentlessly.

The operation’s commander specifically said, last month alone, two soldiers and a police inspector were gruesomely murdered while discharging their constitutional mandate between Mangu and Barkin Ladi local government areas of the State.

“I want to encourage you to always remember our gallant departed colleagues who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the discharge of their duties. Specifically, last month alone, three of our colleagues were gruesomely murdered, two soldiers and one police inspector while discharging their constitutional mandate between Mangu and Barkin Ladi local government areas of the state. I have sworn not to rest until all those responsible are brought to justice. Thankfully, we have recovered their weapons and already arrested most of the perpetrators that are responsible, some as far away as Bauchi”. He disclosed.

Abubakar appreciated the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Police Force, and various security agencies in maintaining peace and security within the joint operations area.

The Army commander lauded the professionalism, courage, and determination exhibited by the personnel, particularly in the challenging terrain of the plateau.

The Major General underscored the importance of remaining focused on the task at hand and intensifying efforts to eradicate all forms of security threats, including isolated killings, kidnapping, and ethno-religious crises.

The commander reassured all personnel of the unwavering support from the headquarters f OPSH as well as both the army and Defense headquarters.

He particularly emphasized the provision of leadership, welfare, and logistics essential for the effective and successful conduct of operations.

“Your professionalism, courage and determination to achieve our mandates, especially on the plateau, is worthy of note and highly appreciated. While I acknowledge and applaud your efforts, I urge you not to rest but to remain focused in your task. To consolidate the gains of all our recent achievements, we must intensify our efforts to completely eradicate all acts of isolated killings, kidnapping, farmers herders clashes, cattle rustling, as well as cattle poisoning, farm destruction and ethno religious crisis, among all other forms of security threats within our joint operations area.

“I want to reassure you once again that headquarters of Operations, Safe Haven, as well as both the army headquarters and the Defense headquarters, will do all that is necessary to provide you with the requisite leadership, welfare and logistics to motivate you for effective and successful conduct of our operations”; he added.

The commander however emphasized that those responsible for violence and unrest would face the consequences of their actions, regardless of their attempts to evade capture. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring justice for the fallen and maintaining peace and security in the area.

Our correspondent reports that Plateau State cultural troop entertained officers and men of STF as well as guests to commemorate the celebration.