By Salisu Shittu Jos
The headquarters of the 3rd division of the Nigerian army and Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a multi security taskforce, in Jos has, Monday night, said it wasn’t surprised with the campaign of calumny meted by TEKAN/ECWA of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, against its Commander Maj-General Ibrahim Sallau Ali.
Deputy director army public relations, Major Eli Lazarus, said in a statement that they are not unmindful of the determination of some merchants of crisis to perpetuate unrest in Jos metropolis and its environs.
“The commander appreciates some of the concerns of the Christian bloc and appeals for calm as the Operation is working round the clock with the Government and critical stakeholders to maintain peace in the state,” Major Lazarus said.
He said the Operation is determined to protect law abiding citizens of all faiths, ethnic backgrounds on the plateau and ensure peaceful co-existence.
“We are not unmindful of the determination of some merchants of crisis to perpetuate unrest in Jos metropolis and its environs.
“They are also bent on ensuring that the GOC and Commander OPSH does not continue with his mandate of ensuring sustainable peace in the state.
“The call for the removal of the GOC did not come to us as a surprise as the campaign of calumny against the person of the GOC started shortly after his assumption of command. Those series of attacks were indeed precursors to this latest call for his removal,” he said.
Major Lazarus said the Operation has surmounted some initial setbacks and challenges by more deployments, robust mobile patrols and increased presence of security personnel.
“We have also increased our engagements with critical stakeholders and citizens to build confidence and keep the channels of communication open,” he said.
Major Lazarus said it is a fact that they have increasingly responded swiftly to distress calls to curtail crime and criminality in the state.
He said: “To allege that Maj Gen IS Ali has not lived to expectation in managing the dual responsibility of GOC and Commander Operation Safe Haven is false.
“Suffice to say that Plateau State is one of the 5 states under the 3 Division area of responsibility and they have been well managed.
“Moreso, military officers are deployed for appointments based on their competence, training, experience and capabilities.
“Additionally, the GOC is under oath to discharge his duties professionally and not to please individuals for their personal gains,” he said.
Major Lazarus urged the TEKAN/ECWA bloc of CAN to encourage her members to cooperate with the security agencies as they strive to restore peace and security in the state and not to resort to self help by taking the laws into their hands.
He reassured the public that security agencies would continue to carry out its assigned duties professionally devoid of tribal, ethnic, socio-political and religious sentiments by ensuring peace and tranquility in its area of responsibility.
