As Middle Belt natives lament sustained attacks on region

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Chris Musa has assured Nigerians of the military’s commitment to deal with the security challenges but stressed misinformation is accountable for the wrong perception of the military and the escalation of killings in communities.

He also stressed the neutrality of the military and appealed for an understanding between the soldiers and the host communities where they are posted to work.

The CDS said this in Jos, Plateau State during a national convention/retreat on civil society/military partnership in mitigating crisis in north central Nigeria which was organized by the Middle Belt Journalists Forum, MBJF.

Represented by Brigadier-General Michael Agi, the Chief of Staff at Operation Safe Haven, OpSH, he said, “… you have resolved to be a part of a sustainable effort to clear either the misinformation or effects of fake news especially in the social media which is largely accountable for the wrong perceptions of the military and the escalations of killings in the region.

“This retreat is coming at the right time when misinformation about our operations is undermining our strong determination to end terrorism and banditry.

“Let me assure Nigerians of the neutrality of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in dealing with ugly challenges facing the nation generally and the region in particular.
“I have listened to your complaints and we will address them squarely… the soldiers you see fighting for you are your soldiers, they need your support, especially on information.”  

The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang through the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Information and Communication, Samuel Tsoho said his administration is working closely with members of the pen profession towards promoting peaceful coexistence among the people, irrespective of any affiliation.

The Governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Communication, Aliyu Tsoho disclosed a committee that will chart a way of returning the internally displaced persons to their original place of abode is in place and noted that the retreat would contribute significantly to addressing the security challenges bedeviling the Middle Belt region.

Professor Sampson Terwase of the National Defence College, Abuja who delivered the keynote address called for more advocacy and public awareness to enable citizens and the military to have a robust understanding in the fight against insecurity.

The President of the Forum, Jonathan Ipaa, and other speakers including the National President, of Plateau Initiative for the Advancement of the Natives, PIDAN, Aboi Madaki through his Vice, Patrick Gamde, the Ter Tiv Nasarawa, Chief Clement Ibo, Mr. Jonathan Ishaku and others who spoke called for the urgent end to insecurity to ensure food security.

They noted that the Middle Belt economy is being attacked not just the people and that the region has become endangered, the food basket is empty and the markets are now occupied by the attackers.

 
PIDAN decried that the farmlands have been taken over by the herders who graze and settle on them, chasing the natives into camps.

Chief Ibo insisted that the Middle Belt people are not beggars but need security from marauding killers to enable them go back to the farms.
His words, “People now farm within communities while the vast farmlands are occupied by the terrorists. This is affecting us terribly in terms of food production.”