The Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), which is maintaining peace in Plateau and environs, has denied allegation that its troops were aiding attacks and other forms of insecurity in the state.
Maj. Ishaku Takwa, the Media Officer of the operation, denied the allegation in a statement on Wednesday in Jos.
Takwa was reacting to allegations by a coalition of youth and women groups during a peaceful protest on Wednesday, against the continuous killings in some parts of the state.
Takwa described the allegation as false and misleading, and called on residents of the state to disregard the reports.
“OPSH wishes to commend and appreciate the groups for demonstrating in a peaceful manner. It is, however, worthy to note that the issues raised during the protest are largely fabrications that emanated from the writer’s imagination.
“They claimed that there are continuous attacks and killings going on in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa, Bokos, Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas and added that OPSH is aiding insecurity in these areas and should be held responsible for the attacks.
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“OPSH wishes to clearly state that these claims are totally false and should be disregarded by well-meaning Nigerians; these latest attacks on the image of the Operation is a calculated attempt to dampen the morale of our troops in the professional performance of their duties.
“The Operation has made concerted efforts in stemming the tide of communal clashes, reprisal attacks and other forms of criminalities on the Plateau,” he said.
Takwa said that troops of OPSH, under the leadership of its commander, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, remain professional and unbiased in the discharge of their duties.
He lamented that between January and now, the Operation had lost an officer and three soldiers to activities of bandits and other criminalities within its areas of operations.
“Our troops, under the Command of Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, a thorough-bred professional, a detribalised Nigerian and a peace-loving military officer, are well motivated, committed and ready to make greater sacrifices for the total restoration of peace and security on the Plateau and beyond.
“At the moment, the leadership of OPSH is concerned with stabilising the security situation in communities that experienced attacks recently in Bassa in Plateau, Zangon Kataf and Jema’a Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
“The rapid response and intervention of our troops during these attacks has curtail the attackers who could have continued their barbaric acts unchallenged.
“It might interest you to know that from January to date, we lost an officer and three soldiers to banditry and criminalities; it is therefore worrisome to note that the group claims that OPSH is aiding and abetting criminal attacks on communities and should be held responsible for lives lost,” Takwa said.
The media officer maintained that from August 2021 till date, there were no cases of attacks on communities in Jos North, Jos South, Barikin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos, adding that the allegation is a mischief aimed at tarnishing the image of the military.
Takwa assured residents of the state that the military and other security agencies would continue to work assiduously towards ensuring the safety of lives and property of every law-abiding citizen without fear or favour.
He called on the residents to continue to support and cooperate with security agencies in their bid to stem the tides of insecurity in the state. (NAN)