January 06, (THEWILL) – The Coalition of Plateau State Indigenous Youths/Ethnic Nationalities has demanded the liquidation of the Special Military Task Force, otherwise known as Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), which has been operating in Plateau and its environs, but has not been able to restore peace in more than a decade of operation.
The Group has accused the OPSH of being complicit in the attacks that have been taking place in parts of Plateau, saying its shoddy, slow, noncommittal and unprofessional response to early warnings and distress calls at the time of the attacks during the Christmas Eve attacks, aided the attackers and facilitated the colossal damage incurred by the victims.
During a world press conference in Jos on Saturday, the Coalition said it has observed “with deep concern the action of Military personnel on the Plateau, based on their actions and responses during a distress situation. The youths have lost trust and confidence in the personnel, especially those of Sector 5 in Bokkos LGA”
The Coalition also noted that “the Sector Commander, Lt Col T T Pave, was accused by an eyewitness, among the affected communities, of giving cover and aiding the killings by the Fulani militias on the claim that the military operation is to protect the minority”.
According to the Coalition, “eyewitnesses from the communities affected also accuse the men under Lt Col T T Pave of arresting and killing locals as in the case of one late Mr Sunday Longleng, who was confronted and fired at will by men under his command at Garah-Kawel, in Mushere District of Bokkosw LGA”, noting also that Fulani who are arrested “are released within the shortest possible time.”
The Coalition also said it observed with “dismay that despite the presence of different security agencies in the state, there is increasing massacre and waste of human lives and property, including innocent children, women, and the aged.
“It is in the light of the continued killings, and failure to protect lives and property in the State that has made the Coalition come to the inevitable conclusion that there is no synergy in the operations of the security outfits, or they are being sabotaged from within”, the coalition added.
The Coalition in the statement however commended the effort of Major Gen A E. Abdusalamm, head of OPSH and GOC 3 Div for his “accessibility, prompt response, lack of bias, and professionalism”.
The statement was signed by Paul J Dekete and Duwam Bosco as State Chairman and State Secretary of the Coalition respectively.
