The Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) maintaining peace in Plateau and Environs, and stakehoders from Riyom and Jos South local government areas of the state have are meeting to discuss ways of fostering peace in the areas.
The meeting held on Monday in Jos, had goverment officials, traditional rulers, community and youth leaders from the Berom and Fulani extractions in attendance.
Speaking at the event, Maj.-Gen. Dominic Onyemelu, the commander of the task force, said that the meeting aimed at fashioning ways to curb all forms of insecurity in the areas.
He said the meeting, which was the second held in July is basically to ensure lasting peace returns to the areas and Plateau in general.
He said lasting peace could not be enforced, but be achieved through the people’s resolve to tolerate and embrace one another devoid of ethnic or religious sentiments.
“We are here today in search of peace. Twelve days ago, we all met here and agreed we will go back to our communities and consult with our people on ways to entrench peace.
“This meeting is for us to present our positions and agree on ways to promote harmonious relationship amongst us.
“This is simply to enable both the herders and farmers to live in peace without any rancour or disagreement that may lead to insecurity,” he said
Onyemelu further assured the partivpartic that the task force would continue to remain neutral and professional in discharging it’s function.
He called on the people to continue to support and cooperate with it to achieve lasting peace in the state.
Da Simon Jok, the District Head of Riyom, who read the resolutions on behalf of Berom stakeholders in Riyom and Jos South, thanked OPSH for its determination to ensure lasting peace is achieved in the state.
Jok called on the state government to implement the recommendations of the peace and reconciliation committee it set up in 2015, adding that such move would ensure lasting peace in the state
“After our last meeting, we went back and met with our people and agreed to call on the state government to implement the agreements reached in 2015.
“The peace and reconciliation committee developed a white paper and recommendations that will bring lasting peace in the state but has not been implemented
“The report of that committee has the solutions to all the problems that usually lead to attacks and counter attacks.
“If the resolution of the white paper is implemented people will naturally live in peace,” he said.
On his part, Alhaji Mohammed Nuru, the Chairman of the Plateau chapter of the Meyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), called on government to check the indiscriminate act of cattle rustling and other criminal activities in areas.
He called on government to ensure that all restricted areas in communities are open to both natives and Fulani
He urged regular joint security meetings in the areas, adding that such move would promote harmony and peaceful coexistence.
Nuru said: “We condemn in strong terms destruction of farm produce and night grazing.
“We discourage underage grazing unless being accompanied by adults,”
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Joseph Lengmang, the Director-General, Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), thanked the stakeholders for their commitment towards ensuring a peaceful Plateau.
He said that government would look into the recommendations made to see possible ways of addressing them with a view of promoting peace and tranquility.
Lengmang, however, called the people to be sincere in dealing with one another, particularly on issues that border on security of lives and property.(NAN)
