Killings: COAS visits Plateau, sues for peace

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, has urged all warring parties in Bokkos and other conflict-prone communities in Plateau State to put aside their ethno-religious differences and embrace peace. He made the call on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Bokkos Local Government Secretariat, following recent deadly attacks that […]

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, has urged all warring parties in Bokkos and other conflict-prone communities in Plateau State to put aside their ethno-religious differences and embrace peace.

He made the call on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Bokkos Local Government Secretariat, following recent deadly attacks that claimed numerous lives and left many others injured.

The high-level meeting was attended by key figures, including Major General E. F. Oyinlola, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH); representatives from the Plateau State Government; religious leaders from the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); traditional rulers; and leaders of the feuding groups.

Organised to find lasting solutions to the long-standing conflicts between farmers and herders in the state, the meeting focused on reconciliation, peaceful coexistence, and sustainable peace.

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Addressing the gathering, the Chief of Army Staff stressed the importance of forgiveness and mutual respect in achieving peace.

“Security agencies may deploy battalions of troops to Bokkos, but without love, tolerance and mutual forgiveness, we won’t achieve the desired peace. We must learn to live together,” Oluyede said.

He assured that more security personnel would be deployed to the affected communities to safeguard lives and property, adding that troops would remain neutral, professional and committed to justice for all, regardless of tribe or religion.

“Peace in Bokkos and Plateau State is possible—but only if we all agree to eschew violence and embrace reconciliation,” he added.

General Oluyede also assured that perpetrators of the recent attacks would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

Any attacks will be decisively dealt with – GOC

Earlier at the meeting, Major General E. F. Oyinlola, GOC 3 Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven, warned against further violence, declaring that any additional attacks on civilians would be met with decisive action.

“The senseless violence we have witnessed in some of our communities must stop. Enough is enough. Any further attacks, destruction of property, or lawlessness will not be tolerated,” he said.

Oyinlola emphasised that security agencies under his command would not stand idly by while criminal elements destabilise communities.

“Those who think they can take the law into their own hands and go unpunished should rethink their actions—the full weight of the law will be brought upon them,” he warned.

Bokkos attack, if not managed could lead to anarchy – JNI

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has expressed concern over the ‘unwarranted’ killings of about 60 people in Bokkos Local Government Area of the Plateau State.

JNI, in a statement by its Secretariat General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said if not managed, the attack could lead to anarchy.

He said the attacks were “very depressing” after experiencing relative stability and peace on the Plateau.

The statement said: “The JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has monitored very closely the security relapse on the Plateau and condemns in its entirety the attempted return to the former dark days of bloodbath. As we have always stated, human life is sacred and should be treated as such.

“The recent killing spree in Bokkos is worrisome and we fear that the way things are going, if not well-managed, could lead to anarchy. Therefore, the government should rise to the occasion and act decisively, as human lives seem to mean nothing anymore in Nigeria and it portrays Nigeria and Nigerians wrongly to the comity of nations.

“JNI reiterates that criminals must not be emboldened in whatever disguise and acts of criminalities be adequately penalised.”

The statement further said, “In a related development, this morning the BBC Hausa Service reported the killing of 16 people in Augie Local Government Area in Kebbi State and about 50 people including women and children were kidnapped in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“For how long would these repeated incidences continue to occur uninterrupted? Isn’t it time that Nigerians and the security agents are more proactive, instead of reactive?

“It is with utmost concern that the JNI calls on security agencies to intensify efforts in fishing out the culprits and they be dealt with in accordance with the existing laws of the land.

“Similarly, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), as well as the Plateau, Kebbi and Katsina state governments, to as a matter of utmost urgency, intensify efforts in enhancing intelligence gathering and prompt dissemination and appropriate usage, as well as increase security measures and support security men in discharging their responsibility.

“We call on all to propagate peace, equity and justice, for no one has the right to live over and above the other citizens in Nigeria. Moreover, we cannot be humans without humanity.”