Army Chief Urges Troops To Sustain Swift Response To Distress Calls In Plateau

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has urged the troops to sustain swift and timely responses to distress calls in the crisis in Plateau State and make it a point of duty to feedback the community concerned.

According to a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army Chief gave the charge when he formally flagged off the ongoing operations to quell the unfortunate herders/ farmers clashes in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state.

The operation, which was launched to mitigate the crisis in Mangu has progressively tackled the deteriorating security situation in the Local Government, restoring relative peace in the area.

Addressing the troops, the Army Chief urged them to stamp out every form of security threat in the locality and on the Plateau in general. This, he said would build the people’s confidence in the ongoing operations.

General Lagbaja assured the troops that topmost in his philosophy of command is the provision of sound administration, which places premium on the welfare and well-being of personnel.

The COAS also held a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders in Mangu, where he pointed out that all stakeholders must show commitment to what he described as the “Mangu Peace project”.

He stated further that the residents and their families are the end beneficiaries when the locality and the state are peaceful.

While noting that for peace and security to be guaranteed, he said it is pertinent for the tripartite components of the People, Government and the Security agencies to be harmonious and cooperative in their dealings.

General Lagbaja admonished all stakeholders to rein in their children and wards, who foment chaos and bear illicfirearmsrms, as troops are mandated to neutralize anyone bearing such weapons.

He commiserated with every household who lost someone or property in the crisis, stressing that no amount of money is worth the life of any individual.

The Army Chief equally directed the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, who is also the Commander Operation Safe Haven to work speedily with the stakeholders in ensuring that lasting peace is restored, to facilitate the return of Internally Displaced Persons to their respective communities.

The Chairman of Mangu Local Government Council, Mr Markus Artu expressed gratitude to the COAS and the troops for their swift intervention in tackling the upheaval

He expressed hope, that with all hands on deck, enduring peace and stability will be attained in Mangu and the Plateau State as a whole.

At the Town Hall meeting were the Chief of Operations (Army) Maj Gen Robert Sinjen, the Acting Provost Marshal (Army) Brig Gen A Garba, the Acting Chief of Military Intelligence (Army) Brig Gen Bobby Ughiagbe, traditional and religious leaders, Miskagham Mwaghavul Mangu abd His Royal Highness Da John Hirse.

Others at the event were; Special Adviser on Security to Plateau state Governor, Brig Gen Gakji Shipi rtd, representatives of various bodies, including the physically challenged, Mangu Development Association and Miyetti Allah Mangu branch.

Mercy Chukwudiebere