Military gives bandits final ultimatum to relocate from Plateau or be flushed out.

The Special Military Taskforce code named ‘Operation Safe Haven’ deployed to restore law and order in Plateau state and environs, has warned trouble makers particularly bandits to relocate from the state or risk getting its hard nose.

Commander of the taskforce, Major General Augustine Agundu gave the ultimatum at the weekend when he paid a. operational visit to Gashish district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state, where over 188 persons were killed last year by suspected Fulani armed militia.

He said, “No matter how hard you try to bring back peace, there are still some elements that are bent on disrupting all efforts, but I am sending a clear warning to them, that time has come for them to give peace a chance and whoever that is not ready to give peace a chance will be appropriately dealt with”..

Recall that the STF Commander in recent weeks, embarked on quickfire shuttle and peace building efforts to bring communities together resulting in several outreach programmes of medical, food and shelter supplies.

Recall also that on June 23rd, 2018, suspected Fulani armed men invaded Gashish community and killed over 188 persons in cold blood, leading to residents fleeing their homes to various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Jos, the state capital.

But, with the efforts of the special military taskforce, many of the displaced persons have returned back to their ancestral homes.

Speaking during the confidence boosting and assurance visit to Gashish community, Maj Gen Agundu said the the military taskforce would ensure that the deadly attack of 2018 did not reoccur.

“We are here to assure you that we are with you. We have intensified our information gathering mechanism using local sources to know what is going on within the society.

“We also have some roving teams and other means of tackling any insecurity that might occur to ensure that the fears and and apprehension being nursed in the past are eliminated” he said.

Earlier, the Barkin-Ladi Local Government Chairman, Dickson Chollom, lauded the military taskforce for returning the IDP’s and restoring peace amongst the people.

Represented by the Secretary of the LGA, Mr. Davo Yakubu, Chollom said since Gen. Agundu took over as the Commander of the taskforce the situation of tackling insecurity has changed from reactive to proactive.

He tasked the people of the community to learn to corporate with security agencies for the existing peace to be sustained.

A Berom youth leader and a Fulani youth leader present at the occasion both spoke on ways to foster and maintain the existing cordial relationship between the Beroms and Fulanis.

They reminded government to fulfil the promise of locating a mobile police barracks in the troubled community.

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