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From Jude Dangwam, Jos
•Commander, Operation Safe Haven and General Officer Commanding, 3 Division, Nigeria Army, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (left) and others being entertained by the Plateau State Cultural Troupe during the Eid-El-Fitr celebration in Jos, yesterday.
The General Officer Commanding 3 Division/Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH ), Major General Abdusalam Abubakar, said the special force is on a manhunt of the killers of its three personnel between Mangu and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
He said the personnel were gruesomely murdered while on their constitutional duty, and vowed to ensure that all those connected with the killings must be brought to book. Abubakar stated this during a Sallah lunch by the Command for troops of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), at their headquarters in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
“Last month alone, three of our colleagues were gruesomely murdered, two soldiers and one police inspector, while discharging their constitutional mandates between Mangu and Barkin-Ladi local government areas.
“I have sworn not to rest until all those responsible are brought to justice. We have recovered their weapons and already arrested most of the perpetrators that are responsible, some fled to as far away Bauchi. But like I always say, you can only run, but you cannot hide, and we will get you,” he reassured the affected families.
Abubakar reiterated the readiness of the Nigerian Army in ending the menace of banditry, kidnapping and isolated attacks on communities in Plateau State and other operational areas of the special force. He said the welfare of personnel on field as well as their logistics remain paramount for the actualisation of the mandate and will continue to do everything possible to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country.
He said: “To consolidate the gains of all our recent achievements, we must intensify our efforts to completely eradicate all acts of isolated killings, kidnapping, farmers herders clashes, cattle rustling, as well as cattle poisoning, farm destruction and ethno-religious crisis, among all other forms of security threats within our joint operations area.
“I want to reassure you, once again, that the Headquarters, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), as well as both the Army Headquarters and the Defence Headquarters, will do all that is necessary to provide you with the requisite leadership, welfare, and logistics to motivate you for effective and successful conduct of our operations.”
The commander charged all personnel to remain disciplined, loyal, vigilant, and professional in the conduct of their operations at all times going forward. He equally encouraged citizens of the state to always remember, at all times, the gallant departed soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the discharge of their duties.
