By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The military command of Operation SAFE HAVEN has debunked a statement credited to Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguards alleging that there is ongoing imposition of peace agreement on communities in Bokkos LGA, Plateau State by military authorities.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer, OPSH, Maj. Samson Nantip Zhakom, the allegation ‘is in furtherance of the group’s desperate efforts to remain relevant while discrediting the ongoing efforts of security agencies to foster peaceful coexistence among the residents of the Joint Operations Area”.
TheFact Daily gathered that there were purported peace agreement brokered by Sector 5 of Operation SAFE HAVEN between the various ethnic groups in Butura Kampani, Chikam, Kunet and neighbouring communities.
In an attempt to set the records straight, so as “not to mislead the public and undermine the positive strides made by security agencies”, Maj. Zhakom explained that as part of non-kinetic efforts to de-escalate tension in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas in the State, Operation SAFE HAVEN facilitated an expanded stakeholders’ engagement at Headquarters 3 Division on 24 April 2024.
At the meeting, which was well attended by critical stakeholders from all sides of the divide as well as representatives of the Plateau State Government, it was agreed that the bottom-top crisis resolution approach should be employed to bring a lasting solution to the crisis experienced in the aforementioned Local Government Areas.
Based on this, troops of Sector 5 Operation SAFE HAVEN were invited by the civil authorities of Bokkos Local Government Area to witness one of such engagements at Butura Kampani on 30 April 2024.
Zhakom stressed that, “at no point in time did the troops of Sector 5 Operation SAFE HAVEN impose any peace agreement on any group of persons under any guise.
He noted the “risks associated with the deliberate efforts by Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguards to rouse negative public opinion against security agencies”.
In spite of the “desperate attempts to cast aspersion on personnel of Operation SAFE HAVEN”, Zhakom stated, “security agencies will continue to take proactive steps to foster peaceful coexistence in the Joint Operations Area”.
He urged the public to continue to collaborate and avail security agencies with credible intelligence that will aid in securing law-abiding citizens in the Joint Operations Area.
