Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) who left their homes in Jong, Barikin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State as a result of crisis have returned home seven years after their community was attacked.
The IDPs were taken back to their ancestral land the Special Task Force, Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), multi-security task force maintaining peace and harmony in Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna states.
Speaking at the event, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Ibrahim Ali, said the return of the IDPs to their homes was a model other displaced persons should consider. He promised that the military to provide the needed support for this to be achieved.
Ali announced the deployment of armed personnel to protect Jong community and neighbouring communities from any external aggression and threats.
In a statement on Friday, the army general said strong security measures had been put in place to ensure no community within OPSH joint operation areas was attacked or displaced again.
He commended the efforts of the 36-man peace committee set up to recommend modalities to achieve reconciliation between warring tribes and the board constituted for the safe return of IDPs to their homes.
In his goodwill message, the senator representing Plateau North and Deputy Chairman Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Istifanus Gyang, commended the roles OPSH commander played in facilitating the return of peace to troubled communities in the state.
He assured that every necessary action to ensure the safety of the Plateau people would be supported without any sentiment. – Daily Trust.
