Operation Safe Haven moves to halt possible Plateau Indigene/Fulani attack

The Joint multi-disciplinary task force mandated to restore peace in Plateau state, code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), on Friday held a town-hall meeting with the Fulani settlers in Wase Local Government Area of the state. The meeting was aimed at halting possible attacks that might arise as a result of land grabbing between the Fulani and the natives.

Addressing community leaders at the forum, the OPSH Commander, Major General Nicholas Rogers, assured that his command will synergize with the state government in a bid to resolving land and boundary issues between both factions.

The Fulani district heads had however complained that the natives (Tarok) had sized their lands during the crisis that rocked the community and has also moved to install chiefs in the sized lands refusing to recognize the Emir of Wase as their paramount ruler.

The district heads complained that all lands taken from the Taroks by the Fulani have long been returned but that the natives have refused to reciprocate, saying that their refusal might take them back to the dark days of incessant crisis.

Responding, the Army boss assured that no land will be lost as legitimate steps will be taken within the law to resolve all land issues, stressing that no one is permitted to go contrary to the law.

However, the Tarok community leaders were not present at the forum to respond to the alleged land grabbing.

Recall that in late June, the Plateau Youth G17 Peace and Progressive Forum advocacy group took to the streets of Jos, in protest against what they termed “land grabbing under the guise of grazing reserve”, saying that the grazing reserve idea is akin to giving land to a group that is already taking it by force.

The forum argued that their communities have been ravaged by the Fulani militants and that about 30 villages have already been forcefully occupied by the Fulani, they said.