By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
A Northern advocacy group, United Youths for Peace has welcomed the visit of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. LEO Irabor to Plateau State.
Gen. Irabor, on Wednesday visited the state where he met Governor Simon Lalong and also participated in a stakeholders meeting convened over the unfortunate killings and renewed hostilities in the State which led to the loss of lives and properties.
During the visit, the CDS explained the reason for combining the office of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Dvision Nigerian Army and that of the Special Military Task Force code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).
He also emphasised that the Military will ensure that Plateau retain it’s Glory as one of the most peacful State in the Country.
The group in a press release signed by Convener, Ibrahim Bako and Secretary, Solomon Gana, lamented over the unfortunate killings in the state.
They said it is unfortunate that the North has been turned into a killing field, thereby affecting socio-economic development.
The group wondered how investors will come into the region when there is absence of peace.
They said “We, the United Youths for Peace welcome the recent visit and actions taken by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. LEO Irabor to instill peace in Plateau State.
“Just as said by Governor Lalong, the CDS has continued to show strong determination to restore peace in the state.
Lamenting over the effects of continued crisis in the North, the group said “We are concerned that our region has turned into a killing field. As it is, who is the foreign or local investor that will come into the North with what is happening?
“We the north must tell ourselves the truth concerning the security situation in the region. We can’t continue like this.
The group urged Plateau people and particularly the warring factions to give peace a chance.
“Now is the time for the warring factions to listen to the admonition of the CDS and give peace a chance. We must support the Armed forces of Nigeria to restore peace in the state and the entire region.
“Meanwhile, we commend the military for the sacrifices they continue to make for the North.”
