The special military task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) maintaining peace in Plateau and environs has dismissed as false, claims of forcing communities in Bokkos Local Government Area to sign peace accord.
The OPSH said those making the allegation were desperate groups benefiting from the crisis and therefore bent on discrediting the ongoing efforts of security agencies to foster peaceful coexistence among residents.
Major Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of OPSH, made the denial in a statement on Thursday in Jos while reacting to the claim by a group called Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguards.
The OPSH said that the reaction was to set the record straight in order not to allow desperate individuals and groups to mislead the public and undermine the positive strides made by the security agencies.
”As part of non-kinetic efforts to de-escalate tension in Bokkos and Mangu LGA, OPSH facilitated an expanded stakeholders’ engagement held at the Headquarters of 3 Division, on April 24; it had critical stakeholders from all sides of the divide in attendance as well as representatives of the Plateau Government.
”As a fallout of the meeting, it was agreed that the bottom-top crisis resolution approach be employed to bring a lasting solution to the crisis experienced in the aforementioned LGAs.
”Consequently, our troops in Sector 5 were invited by the civil authorities of Bokkos to witness one of such engagements at Butura Kampani, on April 30.
”So, at no point did the troops of OPSH impose any peace agreement on any group of persons under any guise,” it added.
The joint task force assured that in spite of efforts to cast aspersion on the personnel of the military, the security agencies would continue to take proactive steps toward fostering peaceful coexistence in Plateau. (NAN)
