Fact Sheet On FG’s Response To Plateau Crisis

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SECURITY

• Defence Headquarters immediately relocated the Commander of Operation Safe Haven (Special Military Task Force in Plateau State), Maj.-Gen. Anthony Atolagbeto Barkin Ladi Local Government Area to coordinate operations of the military task force and other security agencies deployed to the troubled areas.
• The President authorised the deployment of additional Special Forces to Plateau State to beef up ongoing military operations in Plateau codenamed Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).
• The deployment comprised troops, combat motorcycles and two surveillance helicopters to Jos. Motorcycles for SF battalion serves as response unit in central locations, like Barkin Ladi, for swift action in all directions.
• Increased patrol in affected areas day and night and in routes by military personnel.
• Five (5) Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) – Three (3) Police Mobile Force Units (PMF) – Two (2) Counter Terrorism Cells (CTU) and Police Intelligence Unit – conventional Police personnel from other States were deployed to the affected areas in Plateau State, including Barkin Ladi LGA.
• The Police Special Intervention Force also includes personnel of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), detachment of Police Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), Conventional Policemen, and Special Anti-Robbery Squads.
• The team works in synergy with the Plateau State Police Command to ensure that the peace and normalcy restored are sustained in the affected areas and other flash points in the State.
• The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) deployed a Mi-35P combat helicopter and anIntelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to support the entire security operations in hot spots and other areas in the State.

ARRESTS

• Some unspecified number of persons were arrested by the security forces at Gashish District in the Barkin Ladi LGA.
• The Military Special Task Force (STF) has, so far, arrested 21 suspects in connection with the crisis.Out of the 21 suspects arrested, 11 are those arrested in connection to the killings in Barkin Ladi and environs, while 14 were arrested from the scene of the civil disturbances after the attacks.

• The Military Special Task Force (STF) arrested 7 new suspects on 2 July 2018, bringing the total number of specified arrests, so far, to 28.

PRESIDENT BUHARI AND VP OSINBAJO’S PERSONAL AND DIRECT ENGAGEMENTS ON PLATEAU CRISIS

• President Muhammadu Buhari on 26 June 2018, in Jos directed security chiefs in the country to remain vigilant and to ensure the protection of lives and property in the country.
• President Buhari said, ‘‘I will continue to pressurise members of the law enforcement agencies directly under me by the Constitution as the Commander-in-Chief. About eight days ago, we had five hours security meeting of the service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police.” Justice will be done. ‘‘What happened here in Jos is very bad. The question of leadership, from your household to whatever you are, is justice. The bottom line is justice. That is why wherever I go, I will always appeal to the leadership of the communities, the law enforcement agencies to always have control of their constituencies,’’
• Condemning the latest clashes, which left scores dead, President Buhari, who was accompanied to the meeting by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and his counterparts from Kebbi and Niger States, condoled with the affected families, the Government and people of the State, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
• The President also used the occasion of the interactive session attended by traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, representatives of youth, women and trade union groups, security chiefs and some top government officials to appeal to Nigerians to avoid inflammatory utterances that endanger peace or promote conflicts.
• The President urged for fairness in media reportage. “Take for instance the situation in Benue. The Benue subsistence farmer knows that the Nigerian cattle herder that he knows doesn’t carry anything more than a stick, occasionally sometimes something to cut grass to feed his cattle. But the present herder, I am told, carries AK47 and people are even blaming me for not talking to them because maybe (they say) I look like them. There is some injustice in these aspersions.”
• He says the administration is working hard to improve security. According to him, “It is noteworthy that many Nigerians still acknowledge that despite the security challenges, this administration has made notable successes in the security sector.”
• On 25 June 2018, on his visit to Jos, Plateau State, VP Osinbajo condemned recent Jos killings, says leaders at all levels must make sacrifices to resolve conflicts.
• He said, “We must condemn killings of any kind. It doesn’t matter whether these killings are by herdsmen killing villagers, or whether it is villagers who in one way or the other have killed others, including herdsmen. I think it is important that we condemn these killings, in particular these killings that have taken place where so many people have lost their lives in the last few days. There is no reason at all why anyone who commits these offences will escape.”
• “The head of the Operation Safe Haven as well as the DIG (Police) have confirmed to me that some arrests have been made and those persons will face the law, and that more arrests will be made. I think it is important that we ensure that there is justice. I want you to be sure that we will do so, we will make sure that those who have been arrested are duly prosecuted, and that others who are engaged in this heinous conduct are also arrested and prosecuted.”

RECONCILIATION EFFORTS

• During the President’s visit on 26 June 2018, he spoke at an interactive session with stakeholders. The President urged traditional and community leaders to complement government efforts by persuading their constituencies to tolerate one another for peace and unity in the country.
• Also, the Vice President, during his visit, met with community leaders in the state, noting that government will look at how to implement several suggestions proffered by the leaders in resolving the herdsmen and farmers conflicts in the state.
• “It is our duty as community leaders that we do not allow this cycle of violence to continue. As I said to the community leaders, issues like these are dealt with and resolved by men and not spirits. It is those of us who are alive and well today, those of us who are leaders, community leaders, leaders of state, local and federal governments, who must resolve these issues. And we cannot shy away from resolving the issues.”
• He said: “We must be bold enough to be able to tell our communities that resolving these disputes is a give-and-take issue. There is no zero sum here, with so many losses, so many deaths over time. But we must find a solution, and the solution is in the type of sacrifices that leaders are prepared to make. Those are the issues that happened that I talked about and we hope and pray that we will see an end to these cycles of violence. Again, we express our sincere condolences to all of those who have lost family and friends in this last spate of killing and we pray that the Almighty God will console the families and relations of those who have lost their lives. We pray that we never see again a repeat of these kinds of killings and these deaths.
• The Vice President further emphasised that the Buhari administration is committed to finding a permanent solution to the conflicts and insecurity. “One of the critical issues that was raised is the fact that people who have been dislocated from their villages and from their homesteads and who have not returned to those villages and homesteads and those places have been taken over. I think that this is a serious issue, and an issue that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the State Government, must take up, which we will ensure that we will take up,” he said.

PROVISION OF RELIEF MATERIALS

• Relief materials have been made available to the victims by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Vice President said Plateau State will benefit from the ₦10 Billion fund approved for the rehabilitation of farmers of the affected communities by the President.
• Prof. Osinbajo said, “The DG of NEMA will ensure that that is done as relief materials are provided in various areas where they are required. We have also talked about the 10 Billion Naira fund which the Government approved for the rehabilitation of farms and farming communities; the farmers in particular.”

• The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has already provided relief items, including food and non-food items, to Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Riyom and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State. In Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, it distributed 840 bags of rice, 200 bags of beans, 200 bags of maize, 150 cartons of powdered milk, 150 cartons of Milo, 150 kegs of vegetable oil, 150 kegs of palm oil, 150 bags of salt and 70 bags of granulated sugar.

The non-food items provided include 800 mattresses, 800 blankets, 1600 nylon mats, 1200 pieces of Guinea brocade, 1200 pieces of wax print, 1600 mosquito-treated nets, 200 cartons of toilet soap, 200 cartons of detergent, 1600 pieces of male clothing, 800 pieces of female clothing and 800 children’s wear, 400 bundles of roofing sheets, 400 bags of cement, 70 bags of zinc nails and 70 bags of 3-inch nails.

• In Mangu Local Government Area, the Agency distributed 180 bags of rice, 60 bags of beans, 60 bags of maize, 30 cartons of powdered milk, 30 cartons of Milo, 30 kegs of vegetable oil, 30 kegs of palm oil, 30 bags of salt and 20 bags of granulated sugar.

The non-food items provided include 120 mattresses, 120 blankets, 250 nylon mats, 180 pieces of Guinea brocade, 180 pieces of wax print, 250 mosquito-treated nets, 30 cartons of toilet soap, 30 cartons of detergent, 250 pieces of male clothing, 120 pieces of female clothing and 120 children’s wear, 50 bundles of roofing sheets, 50 bags of cement, 15 bags of zinc nails and 15 bags of 3-inch nails.

• In Riyom Local Government Area, the Agency distributed 180 bags of rice, 40 bags of beans, 40 bags of maize, 20 cartons of powdered milk, 20 cartons of Milo, 20 kegs of vegetable oil, 20 kegs of palm oil, 30 bags of salt and 10 bags of granulated sugar.

The non-food items provided include 80 mattresses, 80 blankets, 150 nylon mats, 120 pieces of Guinea brocade, 120 pieces of wax print, 150 mosquito-treated nets, 20 cartons of toilet soap, 20 cartons of detergent, 150 pieces of male clothing, 80 pieces of female clothing and 80 children’s wear, 50 bundles of roofing sheets, 100 bags of cement, 15 bags of zinc nails and 15 bags of 3-inch nails.

• In Bassa Local Government Area, the Agency provided 747 bags of rice, 300 bags of maize, 200 kegs of vegetable oil, 200 kegs of palm oil, 100 cartons of milk, and 100 bags of granulated sugar.

The non-food items provided include 900 mattresses, 2000 blankets, 1500 nylon mats, 1000 pieces of Guinea brocade, 1000 mosquito-treated nets, 200 cartons of toilet soap, 250 cartons of detergent, 1000 pieces of male clothing, 1000 pieces of female clothing and 2000 children’s wear, 450 bags of cement and 100 bags of zinc nails.

ONGOING ROLE OF THE SPECIAL TASK FORCE IN JOS CODE NAMED “OPERATION SAFE HAVEN”

• The Special Task Force (STF) codenamed “Operation Safe Haven” was deployed to restore peace and order in Jos, Plateau State capital.
• In 2010, Jos, and its environs, were engulfed in violent crisis. The first spate of violence of 2010 started on 17 January and lasted at least four days. Houses, churches, mosques and vehicles were set ablaze during the fighting. At least 200 people were killed.
• To support the NPF and the troops of Operation MESA already operating in the State, OSF was deployed following violence where an estimated 326 people were killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
• On 19 January 2010, widespread violence erupted on a large scale in Jos, Bukuru, Riyom villages in Jos South and Barkin Ladi, Pankshin and Mangu Local Government Areas. The state Police Command immediately deployed in Jos metropolis for operation. The unprecedented scale of killings and arson necessitated the large-scale reinforcement from Nigerian Army formations and units outside Jos.
• Consequently, the Police handed over to the military on 21 January 2010. The mobilised force was later designated Special Task Force to conduct Operation SAFE HAVEN with the GOC 3 Division as the Commander. The mission of the STF was to maintain law and order in Plateau State in aid of civil authority.
• The main aim of the OSH was the restoration of peace and security of Jos and its environs; while the main concept of the operation was to contain the conflict, it was also to provide conducive atmosphere for management of the conflict.

• The STF intervened in the 1 July 2018 early morning attack on Rahwol-Fwi village in Fan District area of Plateau State. Four persons were arrested in connection with the attack, and the military high command had ordered the STF to relocate its headquarters from Jos to the troubled Council.

TIMELINE OF PLATEAU CRISIS: A BACKGROUND

• At least 4,000 and possibly as many as 7,000 people have been killed since late 2001.
• More than 13,500 people have been killed in communal violence since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999 (HRW, 2010a).
• In 2001, Jos riot claimed at least 1,000 lives were lost.
• September 2001: Christian-Muslim violence flares after Muslim prayers in Jos, with churches and mosques set on fire. At least 1,000 people were killed, according to a September 2002 report by a panel set up by the Plateau State Government.
• In 2004, about 700 people killed in an attack on the town of Yelwa in Shendam LGA, Plateau State (HRW, 2005).
• Clashes between Muslim and Christian youths in Jos again in 2008, killing at least 700.
• November 2008: Clashes between Muslim and Christian gangs triggered by a disputed Local Government election killed at least 700 people in Jos, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch.
• January 2010: Hundreds are reported killed after clashes between Muslim and Christian gangs in Jos, most by gunfire. Death toll estimated by Police at 326, although some community leaders put the figure at more than 400.
• March 2010: Hundreds of people were killed in clashes between Islamic pastoralists and Christian villagers in the mostly Christian villages of Dogo Nahawa, Zot and Ratsat just south of Jos. Over 300 people reportedly killed.
• December 2010: At least 80 people were killed in December 24 bombings as well as in clashes two days later between Muslim and Christian youths in Jos. As of 27 December 2010, at least 101 people were treated for injuries.
• January 2011: Human Rights Watch reported that more than 200 people have been killed in the past month. Many victims are hacked to death or burned alive in attacks on villages and reprisal killings in Plateau State. (David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit; Editing by Nick Tattersall). Between January and June 2011, there were four different clashes, which claimed several lives in Plateau State?
• 10 October 2013: Plateau State in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, in Kukek community, gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked a family and some cows were stolen in the process. 21 people, including 9 members of a family and 12 herdsmen killed.
• 6 July 2015: Deadly attacks over days saw more than 200 people killed. The attacks came shortly after the Ramadan fast was broken.
• 13 December 2015:  Suspected herdsmen invaded the Kwata, Zawan area of Jos South Local Government killing about 14 people, all of them women and children.
• 13 September 2017: According to residents in the area, several people were injured along Rwang Pam Street and Ahmadu Bello Way.
• 9 September 2017: No fewer than 20 persons were hacked to death in the early hours of September 8 when suspected gunmen invaded Ancha village, in Miango district, a community in the neighbourhood of Jos, Plateau State, leaving at least nine others severely injured.
• 23 June 2018: About 120 persons were killed in several villages in Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State in fresh attacks by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen; while over 200 others sustained gunshot injuries.