By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has formally flagged off the ongoing operations to quell the unfortunate herders/farmers clashes in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state.
The operation, which was launched to mitigate the crisis in Mangu has progressively tackled the deteriorating security situation in the Local Government, restoring relative peace in the area.
Addressing the troops during the flag off, the Army Chief charged them to stamp out every form of security threat in the locality and on the Plateau in general. He urged them to sustain swift and timely response to distress calls, adding that they should also make it a point of duty to feedback the community concerned. This, he pointed out, will build the people’s confidence in the ongoing operations. He assured the troops that topmost in his philosophy of command is the provision of Sound Administration, which places premium on the welfare and wellbeing of personnel.
The COAS also held a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders in Mangu, where he averred that all stakeholders must show commitment to what he described as the “Mangu Peace project”, adding, that they and their families are the end beneficiaries when the locality and the state are peaceful. While noting that for peace and security to be guaranteed, it is pertinent for the tripartite components of the People, Government and the Security agencies to be harmonious and cooperative in their dealings.
Gen Lagbaja admonished all stakeholders to rein in their children and wards, who foment chaos and bear illicit fire arms, as troops are mandated to neutralize anyone bearing such weapons. He commiserated with every household who lost someone or property in the crisis, stressing that no amount of money is worth the life of any individual.