The former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Augustine Agundu (retd), issued a stern warning against reprisals in Plateau State, amidst a fresh wave of violence that has rocked the region.
In an interview on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief” on Monday, Agundu condemned the recent violence in the Bokkos Local Government Area, which has left dozens dead and over a thousand people displaced.
He described the situation as regrettable and emphasized that efforts were underway to prevent further bloodshed.
“A lot of efforts have been put in place to ensure there is no repetitive attack at the level seen,” Agundu stated, adding that troops from Operation Safe Haven are actively working to ensure the situation does not escalate further.
“They are doing good work to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand,” he said.
Agundu attributed the ongoing violence to “a set of people taking laws into their hands,” creating what he described as a “multidimensional threat to peace and security,” which undermines the long-standing harmony between Plateau’s diverse communities. He traced the recent wave of attacks to February, noting that they have increasingly been fueled by reprisals between largely separated villages.
“Reprisals are what makes it worse,” Agundu added.
The retired general highlighted the deep divide between indigenes and settlers in the region, a distinction not recognized by the Nigerian Constitution.
He called for lawmakers to address this issue in future constitutional amendments.
Agundu also pointed to a “weak legal system” as a contributing factor, allowing tensions to escalate unchecked.
To address the ongoing crisis, Agundu stressed the importance of dialogue, a stronger legal framework, and a sustained crackdown on those who exploit communal faultlines for violence.
