Plateau: Army General warns communities against jungle justice

Following a spate of killings in the Bokkos local government area of Plateau State, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General A.E. Abubakar, have issued a strong warning to communities in the area against taking the law into their own hands.

The Military General handed down the warning during a stakeholders meeting organised for all community leaders of Bokkos in the 3 Division Auditorium, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos, where he emphasised the importance of separating criminality in society.

In his address, the GOC/Commander OPSH highlighted the significant achievements recently recorded in ensuring peace continues to flourish on the Plateau, adding that the achievements included the relocation of about 40 communities back to their ancestral homes, domination of all critical vulnerable areas, the arrest and neutralisation of several bandits, the busting of factories manufacturing small arms and light weapons, the arrest of drug peddling syndicates, and the recovery of several caches of arms and ammunition, amongst others.

General Abubakar further revealed that, as part of the civil-military cooperation framework of the Nigerian Army, several projects were executed, including the construction of hospital outposts with medical equipment, school renovations, and the installation of solar-powered boreholes in remote communities to create the enabling conditions for the return of displaced citizens.

He warned, however, that any action by a few criminal elements, crisis merchants, and groups to reverse the successes recorded so far will not be tolerated.

The GOC stressed that stakeholders needed to prevent the re-emergence of the vicious cycle of violence in Bokkos, noting that the triggers of violence in the area have already been identified and efforts are underway to eradicate them permanently.

He urged the community leaders to cooperate fully with security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for instigating crises in the area, and he warned criminals to change their evil ways for peace.

Speaking further, General Abubakar revealed that those involved in criminal acts such as farm destruction, cattle rustling, and cow poisoning will not only be made to pay compensation but will henceforth also be prosecuted.

Community leaders who spoke at the event expressed their gratitude to the GOC and Commander OPSH for their swift intervention in addressing the recent emerging issues that could potentially trigger violence in Bokkos.

They called for severe punishment to be meted out to those involved in unlawful acts and reiterated their support for the troops. The speakers also urged Operation Safe Haven to take decisive action against drug peddlers, as drug influence was contributing to criminality in the region.

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