There was an ecstatic celebration in Jong Community of Barkin Ladi community of Plateau state as the Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) resettled the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of the community to their ancestral land after seven years.
The resettlement ceremony was held at the community on Thursday 15 December 2022 amidst celebration, having been displaced after an attack in 2015 which saw many houses and properties destroyed.
In his remarks, the Commander Sector 4 OPSH, Colonel Danjuma Abdulsalam, said the 2015 and 2018 crises in Plateau state produced many Internally Displaced Persons scattered in various camps, with some living with family members under harsh conditions. He expressed gratitude to the Commander OPSH for showing compassion to the plights of the displaced people of Jong community and other communities planning to return to their original homes.
The Sector 4 Commander appealed to the government at all levels and individuals to assist displaced persons in building their ravaged homes and provide basic amenities to aid their safe return.
The Senator representing Plateau North and Deputy Chairman Senate Committee on Defense, Senator Istifanus Gyang commended the roles Commander OPSH, Major General Ibrahim Ali played in facilitating the return of peace to troubled communities in the state. He assured that every necessary action to ensure the safety of the Plateau people would be supported without any sentiment.
Jong community leader, Mr Alexander Gyang was also full of praises as he commended the military, various committees set up for the rebuilding and ressetlement as well as donations and contributions of other spirited individuals which he said made the resetlement a huge possibility
The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Ibrahim Ali led other dignitaries at the resettlement ceremony and commissioned a motorized borehole and the newly built houses.
Major General Ali stated that the return of Jong community to its ancestral land was a model for other displaced persons to consider returning to their original lands while promising to provide the needed support for this to be achieved.
He noted that the unfortunate incident that led to the displacement of the community had long been addressed through different means championed by relevant authorities in the corridor of peace. He further announced the deployment of armed personnel on guard to protect Jong community and neighboring communities from any external aggression and threats.
He further stated said strong security measures have been put in place to ensure no community within OPSH Joint Operations Area is attacked or displaced again. He commended the efforts of the 36-man peace committee set up to recommend modalities to achieve reconciliation between warring tribes/communities and the board constituted for the safe return of IDPs to their original homes.
In their separate remarks, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Chairman Barikin-Ladi local government area, Justice Longji Daniel (Rtd) and other dignitaries, said it was a joyful thing that the people have gained the trust of security agencies and are coming back home after being displaced for seven years.
Highlights of the event was a cultural display, drama and award presentations, spoken word rendition, and commissioning of some landmark projects as other dignitaries including Dr Patrick Dakum, Ngo Piyo, Barr Gyang Zi amongst others made several donations in furtherance of relief to the community members.
Source: Mathew Tegha
