We have relative peace in southern Kaduna, Plateau — GOC 3, Ali
General Officer Commanding 3 division, Maj. General Ibrahim Ali has revealed that normalcy has returned to Plateau and southern Kaduna.
Ali made this known in Gombe Government House on Tuesday while explaining the reason he delayed his courtesy visit to the governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya.
The GOC stressed that despite taking over Operation Safe Heaven about three months ago, he has been working round the clock to restore relative peace in the two states.
Ali said, “I took over about three months ago and since then the situation as you know in Plateau State and southern Kaduna incidentally both places are under my command have not been peaceful.
“So for the past three months I have been shuttling between these two places to ensure that we restore peace to the area and that is the main reason why I have not had the chance to pay my usual courtesy call on the governor.
“But thank God, the situation has improved now, there is relative peace even though there are isolated issues. Since we have a planned operations cadre in Gombe I felt it is the best time to pay you a courtesy call.”
While soliciting for citizen’s support in intelligence gathering, the General Officer Commanding 3 division noted that security agencies required credible information to quell the insurgency and other violent crimes.
“The military cannot do it alone, we have been doing our best to ensure that peace is maintained but we can not do it alone. We need the support of the state government, officials, and people of Gombe State. The people of Gombe State especially in the areas of intelligence and information because when we are dealing with security situations timely information will help us to be proactive and not reactive. It will help us maintain and sustain the peace here,” he added.
On his part, Governor Yahaya harped on the need for a robust and symbiotic relationship with the military.
He revealed that a lot would be done to get the people to buy in, to support the efforts of the government in the maintenance of peace and order.
“What the GOC mentioned about genuine information and local support is very key. Locally we need to urge our people especially those in leadership.
“I want to assure you that we didn’t set up the Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation for nothing, our people are working day and night to ensure that it succeeds. Yes, we are handicapped because of our location and our people here but without security, nothing will work well,” Yahaya said.
