The military however denied the allegation by the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguards that the military authorities in the ongoing Operation Safe Haven imposed the peace agreements on the communities.
The Nigerian Army has admitted to reaching a ‘bottom-top crisis resolution approach agreement’ with the communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The military however denied the allegation by the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguards that the military authorities in the ongoing Operation Safe Haven imposed the peace agreements on the communities.
This was contained in a statement by the Nigerian Army where it reacted to the allegations by the BCDC which pointed out that there are peace agreements brokered by Sector 5 of Operation SAFE HAVEN between the various ethnic groups in Butura Kampani, Chikam, Kunet and neighbouring communities.
The army said the allegations are “in furtherance of the group’s desperate efforts to remain relevant while discrediting the ongoing efforts of security agencies to foster peaceful coexistence among the residents of the Joint Operations Area”.
According to the army, it is “necessary to set the record straight in order not to mislead the public and undermine the positive strides made by security agencies”.
It said, “As part of non-kinetic efforts to de-escalate tension in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Operation SAFE HAVEN facilitated an expanded stakeholders’ engagement at Headquarters 3 Division on 24 April 2024.
“It is imperative to state that the meeting was well attended with critical stakeholders from all sides of the divide in attendance as well as representatives of the Plateau State Government.
“As a fallout of the meeting, it was agreed that the bottom-top crisis resolution approach should be employed to bring a lasting solution to the crisis experienced in the aforementioned Local Government Areas.
“Consequent upon the foregoing, troops of Sector 5 Operation SAFE HAVEN were invited by the civil authorities of Bokkos Local Government Area to witness one of such engagements at Butura Kampani on 30 April 2024.
“Suffice to state that at no point in time did the troops of Sector 5 Operation SAFE HAVEN impose any peace agreement on any group of persons under any guise. It is therefore expedient to stress the risks associated with the deliberate efforts by Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguards to rouse negative public opinion against security agencies.
“Notwithstanding the desperate attempts to cast aspersion on personnel of Operation SAFE HAVEN, security agencies will continue to take proactive steps to foster peaceful coexistence in the Joint Operations Area.
“We therefore urge the public to continue to collaborate and avail security agencies with credible intelligence that will aid in securing law-abiding citizens in the Joint Operations Area.”