DEFENCE
New Commander Takes Over ‘Operation Safe Haven’ in Jos
By Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Special Task Force saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace in Plateau State, Southern Kaduna and some parts of Bauchi State code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) has a new Commander, he is Major Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo.
Maj.
The development is coming on the hills of the recent Nigerian Army posting and appointment of it’s officers across the country in rekindling the spirit of professionalism in the nation’s Army as released by the Acting Director Army Public Relations.
General Agundu took over the helm of affairs at the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) Headquarters Jos in July 2018 and has spent 20 months in pursuance of peace in his area of assignment.
The Army General described the over 20 years crisis promoted by some religious leaders and few traditional rulers within the area of operation especially Plateau and Southern Kaduna State as unfortunate adding that it has only created “more orphans, widows as well as pains, anger and hate that often led to the destruction of innocent lives and properties.”
Agundu sated this in his farewell message during the handing over of the Command to the incoming Commander Maj. Gen.Okechukwo Okonkwo at the Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven(OPSH) located beside Hill Station Hotel in Jos the Plateau State capital.
“I assumed Command of Operation Safe Haven at a period of myriad of security uncertainties especially in the aftermath of the gruesome killings that took place Gashish District of Barkin Ladi that led to the death of almost 200 vulnerable people. With a semblance of uneasy stability in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State just as Southern Kaduna has its own fair share of intense security challenges.
“The inability to resolved even inconsequential and local issues between and across tribal divides due to age-long animosity and hatred has worsened the crises for almost 20 years. Worse still, some grassroots community and religious leaders are often culpable in promoting ill-tolerance that has further fuelled the many years of crises yet till date there is no winner.”
He added, “unfortunately, the crises on the Plateau and Southern Kaduna have only been able to generate orphans, widows, pain, frustration, fear and anger. There are fee individuals within the communities who indulge in acts of lawlessness as a way of life by unleashing mayhem on innocent law abiding citizens with the theater.”
The outgoing Commander thanked the Governor of Plateau State, Kaduna and Bauchi for their relentless support stressing that the successes recorded could have not been possible without their shared support as well as some stakeholders who ensure that criminal elements in their domain were identified and isolated.
Considering the fact that, “internal security operations are quite challenging primarily because troops are confronting small groups of miscreants who are also living within law abiding citizens which often required public cooperation and supply of vital security information.”
While addressing troops as he exit the Command, General Agundu charged them to be professional and operate within the line of engagements, urging them to give the incoming Commander the needed cooperation in ending the protracted conflict within the areas of operation to enable them reunite themselves back home with their families.
The ceremony witnessed the commissioning of the Divine Mercy Chapel built at the STF Headquarters followed by the display of some recovered small and light arms and ammunitions at the STF Headquarters among others respectively.
The Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna has urged residents of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya and Afaka general areas not to panic over its scheduled shooting exercise.This
This is contained in a statement issued by the NDA Public Relations Officer, Maj. Mohammed Maidawa, on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Maidawa, said the exercise is for the Army cadets of 73 and 74 Regular Courses.
The exercises, he said, are scheduled to hold from April 18 to April 20 abd from April 26 to April 27.
“The NDA assures the general public that all necessary safety measures have been put in place for the successful conduct of the exercise.
“However, the general public is advised to avoid trespassing in the general area throughout the period of the exercise,” the army said.
.(NAN)
The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested an Enugu resident, one Mmaduabuchi Okonkwo, 24, suspected to be in possession of, and transacting in, fake Naira notes.
A statement by the Command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, said that operatives serving in Abakaliki Road Police Division, with the support of law-abiding citizens, arrested Okonkwo of Mkpologu, Emene, Enugu, at the Old IMT Bus Stop, Abakaliki Road, Enugu, on April 10.
According to him, the suspect’s arrest is sequel to his alleged possession, and transacting in, counterfeited Naira notes.
“A total of ₦40,000 suspected counterfeited one thousand denominated Naira notes were recovered from him.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect boarded a minibus from New Haven Junction to Old IMT Bus Stop, Enugu, and gave the driver one of the counterfeited notes.
“The driver, however, scrutinised and observed that the currency was fake, and quickly raised an alarm that led to the suspect’s arrest.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to having paid the sum of ₦25,000 genuine Naira notes to his cohort at large for the counterfeited Naira notes worth ₦50,000,” he said.
Ndukwe said that he further confessed to having spent ₦10,000 out of the fake notes, with the remaining ₦40,000 recovered from him.
“The suspect will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded,” he said. (NAN)
Umar Mohammed, the Kwara Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Tuesday in Ibadan called for an increase in vigilance.
He said the appeal was necessary to confront the challenges of insecurity, violence and other social vices in various communities in the state.
The Commandant said the recent rise in security challenges in the state necessitated the upgrading of the police outpost to a fully operational divisional office.
p”This is in order to address insecurity more effectively.
“The establishment of the division will no doubt improve operational efficiency, thereby reducing possible threats to peaceful coexistence,” he said.
The Commandant applauded the people of Ipee community, most especially Mr Olayiwola Oyebode, Deputy Speaker of Kwara House of Assembly, for their unwavering commitment and support for the project.
He assured the community that their efforts would not go in vain.
”I promise utmost security and well-being, and the NSCDC will work tirelessly to address all your security challenges,” Mohammed said.
He urged members of the community to remain vigilant and actively support the Corps by providing credible and timely information that would enhance their operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility and everyone should play their part in keeping their community safe, by working together and sharing information promptly,” the Commandant said.
The Deputy Speaker of State House of Assembly, Mr Olayiwola Oyebode, thanked the Commandant for his cooperation and efforts in ensuring the protection of lives and properties in the community and the state in general.
He urged the Commandant to deploy additional personnel to the new division in order to increase the safety and security of the people in the community.
In his remark, the Onipe of Ipee, Oba Lawal Adebayo, expressed gratitude to the Corps for the steadfast dedication to ensuring safety in the community and urged for sustained efforts.
Oba Adebayo also thanked Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his continuous support in upholding peace and security within the state.(NAN)
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