Maj. Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, the Commander of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), has urged residents of Haru community of Irigwe Chiefdom in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau to remain calm following an attack gunmen on the community by gunmen.
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Major Ibrahim Shittu, Media Officer of the task force said in a statement in Jos that Okonkwo made the call when he visited the affected community on Wednesday.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen attacked Haru community on Tuesday night which led to loss of lives and property.
Shittu said the commander, who described the incident as unfortunate, promised to put his troops on alert to curtail insecurity in the area.
He said Okonkwo assured the people of the community of the operation’s readiness to stem the spate of wanton killings by increasing troops’ presence in the area.
He said the commander commended the people’s resilience and urged them to remain law abiding, adding that the operation was working hard to stop criminal elements from terrorising the area.
“The commander also urged people of the community to cooperate with military personnel by providing timely information to security agencies in their bid to ensure peace returns to the area.
“He reiterated the Operation’s commitment to secure its joint operational areas with a clear mandate of building on the existing peace being enjoyed in its areas of responsibility,” he said.
The media officer said the Vice President of Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Chief Aweze Doro, who spoke during the visit, thanked the task force for its quick response to the incident and promised to suport it with relevant information to aid its efforts to stem banditry and other criminal activities in the area.
He said that the continued presence of troops of the taskforce in the area would boost the morale of residents who were living in fear following the incessant attacks within the area.