By Ezekiel Dontinna
In a bid to avert the recurrence of violence in parts of Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas ahead of these celebrations, the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) in collaboration with Operation Rainbow, have organized two separate stakeholder meetings to respond to the early warning signs in the two LGAs.
The meetings which brought together traditional and religious leaders, youth and women groups and security operatives amongst others, explored practical steps that both community stakeholders and security agencies would play in addressing speculations of impending attacks on helpless citizens during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Speaking at the engagement, Director General, Plateau Peacebuilding Agency, PPBA Dr. Julie Sanda, said, one of the objectives of the meeting with the various stakeholders was to respond to rumour and speculation of a repeat of the 2023 Christmas Eve attacks on communities by armed gunmen.
She maintained that, the early warning signs in the two affected LGAs of Bokkos and Mangu could not be ignored, hence the need to meet and develop action plans to address the situation.
The DG, therefore , urged all stakeholders to be vigilant and proactive in responding to the rising tensions in their respective communities as a result of the rumour of attacks making the rounds.
Sanda, added that the government of Plateau State was concern about the situation, hence the need for communities to cooperate with the government and other security outfits to ensure that, the gains of peace recorded in the last few months was not derailed before, during and even after the festive season.
She assured that, PPBA would continue to work with communities and other relevant bodies to consolidate on the gains of peace in Plateau communities stressing that, PPBA would continue to empower especially the youth and women to be part of the decision-making processes in their communities.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Plateau State Security and Coordinator, Operation Rainbow, Brig. Gen. Gakji Shipi (Rtd.), charged security operatives in the localities to treat all cases of crime and criminality with utmost seriousness and professionalism.
He noted that the Plateau State Governor was committed to ridding the State of criminals and those who may want to jeopardize the ongoing peacebuilding processes in the state.
Gen. Shipi, disclosed that Operation Rainbow and other similar security agencies have strategized to respond to any security threat on the citizens warning that, the government and security agencies have been placed on red alert to deal decisively with any individual or group that would want to cause trouble during the festivities.
Similarly, while in Mangu LGA, the PPBA Director General, Dr. Julie Sanda, called on the people to always close ranks in their quest to further strengthen the ongoing efforts at rebuilding peace and confidence in the area.
Represented by the Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Lucy Umar, Sanda urged the stakeholders to design action plans that would respond to the widespread rumour of planned attacks on worship centres during the yuletide season.
She decried the situation where letters of threat and planned attacks on communities in Mangu, were being circulated saying, “it is not only unfortunate but capable of disrupting the peace and security of the LGA and other neighbouring communities.
The DG, however, commended the members of the Community Peace Architecture Forum (CPAF) of Mangu LGA for taking steps to unravel the source of the threats.
She then commended the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) of Mangu for always working in synergy to respond to issues of conflict in their locality.
In their separate remarks, Chairman CAN, Mangu LGA, Rev. Mathew Daluk and Chairman, JNI, Alh. Hudu Manomi both promised to continue to work closely to halt any breakdown of law and order in the area.
It would be recalled that in December 2023, communities in Bokkos and Mangu LGAs were attacked by armed gunmen that left scores dead and properties worth billions of Naira destroyed.
It was in response to impending rumour of another round of attacks that the PPBA in collaboration with Operation rainbow organized to engagements to explore ways of mitigating any repeat of the violence during the holidays.
While in Bokkos, there were contributions from various stakeholders like the traditional institution represented by the Saf Mangor, Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Women Groups, Ethnic Nationalities, as well as, Heads of security outfits such as the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), and other non-conventional security organs.
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