News Editor
The Force Commander (FC), Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Kevin Aligbe, has restated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) remains at the forefront in tackling the myriad of security threats confronting the state and the nation at large.
Maj Gen Aligbe made the disclosure during an interactive session with the Meyetti Allah’s Cattle Breeders Association(MACBAN) Nasarawa State Chapter held in Makurdi, Benue state.
According to the FC, “the military as an institution remains at the forefront of leading the war against every form of criminalities as the constitution avails it’s with mandate of protecting lives and properties of every Nigerian.
The Force Commander noted that the one-day security parley was in continuation of the peace initiative through consultation and engagements between the stakeholders and the military towards proffering lasting solutions to the security challenges in the States.
Maj Gen Aligbe, while admitting the wave of insecurity in the North Central (NC), occasioned by farmers/herders and communal clashes, said the ongoing military engagement is crucial, as such require the inputs of all parties involved towards sustainable peace and progress.
He thanked the MACBAN , whom he described as peace lovers for being open minded in proffering suggestions to the security threats, promising that there would be interventions in the security dispositions and promised to elicit the same peace cooperation from the Benue State livestock Guard as this will help cement the proposed peace and stability within the two states.
The FC commended Field Commanders for their professionalism and doggedness in the discharge of their duties.
The Chairman, MACBAN, Nasarawa State Chapter, Alhaji Bala Mohammed Baou, who acknowledged the critical roles being played by military in the defence and security of the state, was optimistic that critical issues bodering on farmers and herders crisis, cattle rustling and communal clashes would be a thing of the past soonest from the interaction with the FC OPWS.
Alhaji Bala, solicited support from the commander in sustaining and ensuring peace and stability within the two states, noting that the MACBAN is grateful for giving them attention to listen to their problems and heed to the plights.
He outlined their major challenges to include excessive charges from the Benue State Livestock Guard and border demarcation among the two states which is not properly mapped, causing the herders to graze from Nasarawa into Benue territory without them knowing.
He said he had a strong believe that after this interaction with the FC, all issues will be laid bare and normalcy will be restored within the two states.
WAP MAIGIDA
Air Commodore
Deputy Director Defence Information
13 November 2021
