The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to tackling banditry across the country as part of efforts to ensure lasting peace. Lt. Gen. Shuaibu made the pledge at the headquarters of the Joint Task Force on the Jos crisis, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), where he was represented by Maj. Gen. Isa Abdullahi, the Administrative Officer.
He spoke during an Eid Mubarak celebration with members of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) at its headquarters in Jos, Plateau State, an event facilitated by the Commander of OPEP. The Army Chief commended the Commander and personnel of OPEP for their resilience in maintaining relative peace in Plateau State. However, he frowned at recent attacks on members of the task force, noting that some personnel had paid the supreme price in the line of duty.
He assured Nigerians that officers and soldiers would not relent in protecting lives and property. He also pledged continued welfare support for personnel and reassured families of fallen heroes that they would not be neglected.
Earlier, the Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Maj. Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, who also serves as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Rukuba, expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff for their consistent support. Maj. Gen. Oyinlola used the occasion to reaffirm that personnel of OPEP and the 3 Division would remain committed to their mandate. He also thanked community leaders, sister security agencies, and peace-loving Nigerians for their cooperation and support.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Brig. Gen. Gakji Shippi (rtd), expressed gratitude on behalf of the state government to the task force for maintaining peace. “Because of your presence, our people can sleep with both eyes closed. As a government, we appreciate you,” he said.
The representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Isa Abdullahi, alongside the OPEP Commander, Maj. Gen. Oyinlola, and Brig. Gen. Gakji Shippi (rtd), personally served meals to officers, soldiers, and guests during the Eid Mubarak celebration.
The special Eid celebration for the Joint Task Force on the Jos crisis, Operation Enduring Peace, was described as a morale-boosting initiative aimed at encouraging officers and men of the operation and ensuring they do not feel neglected.
Meanwhile, the Chief Imam of Jos Fiber Mosque, Sheikh Khalid Aliyu, has charged Muslim faithfuls to live peacefully with their neighbors despite religious differences. The Islamic cleric gave the charge on Friday in Jos, shortly after delivering a sermon at the Jos Fiber Mosque to mark the end of Ramadan (30 days) of Islamic fasting.
Speaking on security challenges, Sheikh Khalid expressed concern at the rate at which security personnel are being attacked and killed; however, he pleaded that they should not relent. He called on the government at all levels to live up to its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.
On the religious obligation of Muslims, Sheikh Khalid called on citizens to continue with the virtues they may have acquired during the Ramadan fast, to be peaceful and patient people. The prayer ground was full to capacity with worshippers; this year’s Eid Mubarak in Jos, Plateau State, was held under tight security watch.
There was a ban on the operation of commercial bikes and tricycles within Jos and Bukuru metropolis, as part of security measures to prevent possible miscreants from harming innocent persons.
