DHQ Takes Media
DHQ Takes Media on Tour of Operation Whirl Stroke in the
North
The Force Commander of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ)
coordinated Joint operations covering Benue, parts of Nasarawa and
Taraba States codenamed “Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS)” Major
General Mutiu Yekini has urged the residents of Benue and Taraba
states not to panic but to go about their legitimate businesses
without fear of molestation, as their safety and security is
guaranteed.
According to him “the peace and tranquility presently enjoyed in
the states, which were previously ravaged by ethno-religious
conflicts, herders/farmers clashes, banditry, kidnapping, cultism
and tribal militias will be sustained.
Maj Gen Yekini gave this reassurance while conducting
journalists round the security deployments in Benue and Taraba
states. His reassurance became expedient to douse the fear
expressed in some quarters in the 3 states of likely influx of
herdsmen migrating southward and their attendant violence when
seeking greener pastures in the dry season.
The guided media tour, which was organized by the Directorate of
Defence Information, DHQ, was to keep the media abreast of the
current situation of the hitherto volatile areas, which are now
experiencing relative peace and calm.
Maj Gen Yekini maintained that restoration of peace and normalcy
in the troubled North Central states was the mandate of the
operation and has been achieved to a large extent. He was elated to
note that the wanton killings orchestrated by herdsmen/farmers
clashes have been brought under firm control. Additionally, the
communities that were hitherto under siege have been liberated from
the claws of armed bandits and local militias.
The Force Commander further revealed that non-Kinetic approach
was equally employed in solving the lingering inter-communal
clashes between Jukun and Tiv communities inhabiting the border
areas of Taraba and Benue states. He noted that most crises were
fueled by local militias, some of whom have been arrested, while
others are now on the run. He averred that the indigenes, who are
now savouring harmonious and peaceful co-existence have since
endorsed a peace agreement to shun violence and live in
harmony.
The Acting Director Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier General
Onyema Nwachukwu, who coordinated the media tour, while addressing
the media at Gbise, the Headquarters of Sector 2 of Operation WHIRL
STROKE, stated that the tour equally afforded the Press the
opportunity to appraise the successes of the operation and to
interact with the natives, who paid glowing tribute to the troops
for salvaging their communities from criminals.
Brigadier General Nwachukwu eulogized the non-kinetic approach
of OPWS which he described as potent and effective antidote to the
conflicts in the Joint Operations Area.
Allaying public anxiety on the drawdown of Operation Whirl
Stroke, Brig Gen Nwachukwu said that after successful attainment of
the benchmarks for restoration of peace and socio-economic
activities in the affected areas, it was imperative for OPWS to
wind down, having achieved its operational mandate.
In separate remarks, the Special Adviser on security to Benue
State Governor, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hembah (Retired) and his
Taraba state counterpart, Colonel Nuhu Tukura (Retired), commended
the effort of the troops for restoring peace to the region that was
once bedeviled with violent crimes. Both advisers urged the locals
to ensure that they remained committed to harmonious co-existence
in order to consolidate on the peaceful atmosphere currently
attained.
During the tour, the media team visited Katsina-Ala Local
Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, Takum and Wukari LGAs of
Taraba state, where the Chairperson and Chairman of the respective
LGAs expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for deploying
the Operation Whirl Stroke to liberate their people from violent
killings. They pledged their unflinching support for OPWS.
WAY OLABISI
Lieutenant Commander
for Director Defence Information