The Acting General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Benjamin Ahanotu has urged all residents living at the Mambilla Plateau to live in peace and harmony with one another.
He made the statement at the Palace of the Chief of Mambilla, His Royal Majesty Dr Shehu Audu Baju ll during a stakeholder meeting with Local Government Chairman, Councillors and District Heads of Sardauna Emirate / Mambilla Traditional Council.
The Acting GOC expressed his dismay and disappointment over the crisis between Mabilla’s and the Fulani’s whom over the years had been living peacefully and harmoniously with each other. He therefore blamed the stakeholders for not nipping the crisis in the bud at the initial stage but allowed it deteriorated to the level that lives and property were lost and destroyed.
Brigadier General Ahanotu told the stakeholders that soldiers had been deployed to curtail any breach of security and urged them to report any threat to the troops for immediate action. He also urged the leadership of the Local Government to provide immediate succor to the people affected and advised the traditional rulers to carry out intense sensitization to enlighten their people to be their brother’s keeper.
Earlier in his remarks the Madaki Mambilla, Alhaji Isa Musa who represented the Chief of Mambila, Dr Shehu Audu Baju ll, commended the Nigerian Army for their quick intervention to prevent the escalation of the crisis. He said the Emirate Council on his part would do everything possible to prevent further occurrence of this ugly situation.
Responding the Chairman of Sarduana Local Government, Honourable John Yep said the incident was quite unfortunate and promised to work out modalities for peace. He also said all wounded persons in the hospital would be given free medical treatment. He added that food items had been procured by the Local Government togive those displaced and vowed to sensitize the locals to live in peace.
The Acting General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army was accompanied during the stakeholder’s meeting by the Commander 23 Brigade Brig Gen BA Muhammad, Ag Comd 3 Military Intelligence Brigade, Col ASO Onilenla, Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Col KO Ogunsanya and Commanding Officer 20 Battalion Lt Col A Abdullahi as well as Acting Commander 3 Division Provost Group Maj EO Otakpemehi.