Following the Plateau State Government's call for the withdrawal of soldiers from flashpoints in the state, Muslim communities have strongly opposed the move, describing it as a dangerous decision that threatens peace and harmony across the state.
Our correspondent reports that on July 15, gunmen attacked the Tahoss community in Riyom Local Government Area, killing at least 27 people and injuring many others.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack during a visit to the affected communities, blaming security personnel for failing to arrest the perpetrators.
In a statement last Friday, Prof. Chris Kwaja, Special Envoy on Peace and Security to the Governor, said the presence of soldiers had not produced positive outcomes, hence the need to deploy mobile policemen, whom the government believes are better suited to tackling insecurity in the region.
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Kwaja said during last week's Tuesday attack, security forces-particularly Operation Safe Haven, the task force responsible for maintaining peace in the state-failed to prevent the assault despite their presence in the area.
He added that the attack was avoidable, given the early warning signs and intelligence reports.
He said, "The federal government should, as a matter of priority, consider withdrawing all military personnel deployed in flashpoints and replace them with Mobile Police Squads. This change in approach is necessary to ensure a more effective and responsive security strategy that prioritises the fight against asymmetric warfare, which the MOPOL is conversant with."
Military presence crucial to peace - JNI
Reacting to the call, the Muslim community, in a press conference held in Jos, urged the federal government to ignore the state's request.
They said the presence of soldiers, particularly those from Operation Safe Haven, has been instrumental in restoring peace to many crisis-prone areas of the state.
They acknowledged some operational challenges but stressed that the military has made significant contributions to the relative peace currently enjoyed in several communities.
Sani Mudi, a Muslim leader and member of Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI) who addressed the press, described the timing of the call as inappropriate.
He said military involvement is critical to consolidating existing peace and that the soldiers deserve commendation for their efforts.
He said, "The deployment of troops in Plateau has historical context. Initially, the police were overwhelmed and unable to contain the crisis, prompting the need for military intervention. Later, Operation Safe Haven was introduced, bringing together various security agencies, including the police, and it has been effective."
"In the early days, the police couldn't cope, and we suffered. The military stepped in and has remained impartial and sensitive to all communities. They engage in dialogue, investigate before acting, and have not treated everyone as a suspect. Their approach has yielded positive results."
He added that using the military is not unique to Plateau, as troops are engaged in peacekeeping operations in other states, and therefore, Plateau should not be an exception.
We are not in support of soldiers' withdrawal - JIBWIS
Also reacting to the development, the National Chairman of Jama'atu Izalatil Bid'a Wa'ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, warned that calls to withdraw soldiers from flashpoints in Plateau State pose a serious threat to the security of lives and property.
The Islamic cleric expressed strong disapproval during a press briefing in Jos on Tuesday, urging relevant authorities to reject the proposal.
He said, "We do not support the call to withdraw soldiers from flashpoints. It is not beneficial to the security of lives and property. Since the outbreak of violence in the state, soldiers have been doing their best to restore order.
"We have confidence in all federal security agencies, including the police. We do not support the removal of soldiers or the police; rather, we support a combination of all security agencies, such as Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), as a strategy by the federal government to achieve lasting peace in the state."
The cleric further called on all citizens of Plateau, both Christians and Muslims, to embrace peace and unity, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliations.
Security gaps fuel call for withdrawal - Rev. Adaji
Rev. Jon Adaji, a Christian leader, said calls for the withdrawal of soldiers stemmed from a sense of abandonment during attacks.
He said internal security should primarily be the responsibility of the police, not the military.
He said, "If soldiers are deployed to protect lives and there's a security post near a village that is attacked without a timely response, it naturally leads to public frustration.
"People call for their withdrawal because they feel abandoned during attacks. The real issue is the failure of security structures to act promptly, not just the presence or absence of soldiers."
Residents express mixed reactions
Residents of Plateau State have expressed divergent opinions following calls for the withdrawal of soldiers from security flashpoints in the state.
Peter Azi described the call by Professor Christ Kwaja for the military to be replaced by mobile police and other security agencies as timely.
"It's long overdue. The personnel of Operation Safe Haven need a complete overhaul. Internal security should be the responsibility of the police," he said.
However, Garba Musa disagreed, saying, "As a Plateau man, I don't want soldiers withdrawn. They are more neutral and professional in handling conflicts, especially with the ethnoreligious tensions in the state."
Another resident, Abubakar Salihu, questioned the state's capacity to manage security without federal military intervention.
"The government has not shown it can tackle the state's security challenges. Operation Rainbow, a state-run outfit, has had minimal impact. The military's presence is still necessary," he said.
Comrade Magit Sabastine Mandik acknowledged the importance of the soldiers' presence but noted some lapses.
"The recent attack in Riyom showed signs of unprofessional conduct by some military personnel. While there are good ones among them, police are better trained for internal security. The federal government should reform the policing system to align with global best practices," he said.
Sector 6 commander redeployed after attack
Daily Trust has gathered that the Sector 6 Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), based in Riyom Local Government Area, Colonel Thomas Paave, has been redeployed following a recent attack in the area. He has been replaced by Lt. Colonel Isaac Indiorwhey.
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Sector 6 is located in Riyom, where tensions between farming and herding communities have led to frequent accusations of attacks and killings.
The Plateau State Government had blamed security personnel in the area for failing to prevent the latest violence.
While the OPSH spokesperson could not be reached for confirmation, a reliable source within Sector 6 confirmed the development, stating that Colonel Paave had indeed been redeployed and replaced.
Speaking anonymously, a personnel of the operation said, "Colonel Paave was the fourth commander to be replaced within three months. He has indeed been moved from Sector 6, as you rightly asked. This is not the first time; in three months, this is the fourth change. Now, Lt. Colonel Isaac Indiorwhey is in charge of the sector."
Reps urge army, police to sustain joint operations in Plateau
The House of Representatives has called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and heads of other security agencies to sustain joint operations in Wase and Kanam LGAs of Plateau State in response to escalating attacks by armed bandits.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Ahmed Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), who decried the rising violence, kidnappings, and destruction across several communities in the area.
He blamed the sustained attacks on bandits operating from forest enclaves such as Dutsen Zaki, Kwanbadoro in Taraba, Kukawa in Kanam, and the Odare Reserve in Wase.
The House urged the military to carry out aerial surveillance and precision airstrikes on these forests and deploy more troops to dislodge the criminal elements.
It also asked the IGP to establish a mobile police base in Bashar, Wase LGA, to enhance rapid response.
