Major General Augustine Agundu (retd), former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, has cautioned against reprisal attacks in Plateau State following recent violence in the Bokkos Local Government Area.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Agundu described the violence as regrettable, with over a thousand displaced and scores dead.
“A lot of efforts have been put in place to ensure there is no repetitive attack at the level seen,” Agundu said, noting that troops from Operation Safe Haven “are doing good work to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand.”
He stressed that significant efforts are in place to prevent further bloodshed and stabilize the situation.
Agundu highlighted that the violence, largely driven by reprisals between separate villages, has escalated tensions and undermined Plateau’s long-standing coexistence between communities.
He attributed the problem to people taking the law into their own hands, creating a multidimensional threat to peace.
The retired general urged lawmakers to address the issue of indigene-settler divides and to strengthen the legal system to prevent further conflicts.
Agundu emphasized the importance of dialogue and a robust legal framework in addressing the root causes of violence.