The Nigerian Army is actively engaged in pursuing malicious individuals responsible for the recent attacks on communities in Plateau State, specifically targeting areas like Barkin-Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu within the local government. Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, has announced the establishment of rewards for anyone providing valuable information that leads to the capture of the perpetrators.
A list of wanted individuals linked to the attacks in Barkin-Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu has been made public, offering monetary incentives for any relevant intel that could help in apprehending them. The focus is on eliminating actions that threaten food security, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in achieving this goal.
The Special Task Force commander disclosed this information during a peace summit organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, in partnership with Operation SAFE HAVEN, held in Barkin-Ladi LGA. The summit, titled “Promoting inter-ethnic and interreligious dialogue: towards ensuring food security in Plateau State,” brought together young participants from various local governments, including Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Bokkos, Jos South, and Riyom.
Colonel US Abdulsalam, representing Major General Abubakar, recognized the significance of the summit in light of the current food scarcity in Nigeria. He expressed optimism that the summit would contribute to enhancing food security in the communities. Operation Safe Haven has been actively implementing effective non-kinetic strategies to ensure food security not only in Plateau State but also across the nation.
The keynote speaker, Rev. Father Stephen Akpe, highlighted the role of human neglect towards food and the environment as a major factor contributing to the prevalent hunger in the country. Father Akpe, a mediator and conflict resolution expert, urged government officials and community leaders to implement policies that protect food security, emphasizing that hunger affects everyone regardless of their religion or ethnicity.
The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, NUJ Plateau State Council, Polycarp Auta, emphasized the summit’s goal of supporting the peace efforts of the state government and security agencies in promoting peaceful coexistence and food security. He stressed the importance of bringing together young people from diverse backgrounds in conflict-affected areas to develop effective strategies for peaceful living.
As the farming season approaches, with Plateau being a key agricultural region, the summit aims to raise awareness about the looming food insecurity in the country and the need for a collective approach to empower farmers to produce enough food for the state and the nation. This theme was chosen to underscore the importance of addressing food security challenges collectively.
