Sheath your swords, embrace peace, STF commander urge Southern Kaduna residents

By Our Reporter

Aug. 22, 2020 - Maj.-Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, Commander of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) has urged residents of southern Kaduna to sheath their swords and embrace peace.

The Commander made the call during the Atyap Peace and Reconciliation Summit organised to foster peaceful coexistence among residents of the Chiefdom on Saturday in Zangon Kataf.

The Special Task Force charged with maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Southern Kaduna and Bauchi states,

Okonkwo, who said the attacks had ethno religious and criminal dimensions, urged the people to be resolute toward ending the circle of violence admonished commuters to take practical and collective steps toward achieving lasting peace in their communities.

“My impression is that everybody desires peace, but we must take practical steps to stop the circle of killings in our communities.

“As a people, we can resolve to stop the criminality; there is no conflict that cannot be resolved.

“So, I am sincerely pleading that you should sheath your swords and embrace peace for our benefit and the generation yet unborn,” the commander said.

Okonkwo however assured residents that his troops would continue to be diligent and professional in the discharge of their duty, but warned that they would not spare criminal elements.

“We will continue to do our work without fear or favour and with the recent reinforcement from the Defence Headquarters, we will stem the tides of insecurity here,” Okonkwo assured.

Atyap Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State is one of the worst hit by the recent killings in southern Kaduna.