As part of efforts to address the incessant attacks and loss of lives and property in Plateau communities, troops of Operation Safe Haven have set up a joint peace committee in the state.

The Commander, OPSH, Maj Gen Ibrahim Ali, who inaugurated the 36-member Joint Peace Committee in Jos on Saturday at the operation’s Headquarters in Jos, explained that the committee would recommend measures to be taken to find a lasting solution to the incessant clashes and killings among various ethnic groups in the state.

Ali urged members of the committee to demonstrate impartiality, neutrality, honesty, uprightness and avoid sentiment and compromise.

He disclosed that the members, who were drawn from ethnic communities in Bassa, Jos North and South local government areas, had the background knowledge of the conflict and hoped their experience in communal conflict resolution would assist in fast-tracking the restoration of peace in Plateau.

The commander stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through an alternative dispute resolution mechanism by parties to the conflict.

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He further noted that the committee was created as part of the non-kinetic approach of Operation Safe Haven to peacebuilding in the state, adding that the committee would assist in making recommendations that would help OPSH and the Plateau State Government in finding a lasting solution to the incessant conflict among various ethnic groups of Irigwe, Fulani, Hausa, Bache, Dong, Gyel and Anaguta.

“It is hoped that the outcome of this committee will contribute immensely to the peacebuilding efforts in the targeted communities, with a view to returning Plateau State to the path of peace and sustainable development,” he said.

The committee, according to Maj Gen Ali, would identify the root causes of the crises in Bassa, Jos North and Jos South local government areas and recommend implementable strategies that would lead to sustainable peace on the Plateau.

The Chairman of the committee, Prince Robert Ashi, gave the assurance that the committee would discharge its duties diligently and devoid of sentiment, while soliciting the support of community leaders to achieve its mandate.

Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, the District Head of Dong, Ada Inyam, appreciated the commander for the initiative and urged the leaders of Irigwe, Fulani, Hausa, Bache, Dong, Gyel and Anaguta communities to support the committee to succeed in its assignment.

The committee has two weeks to submit its report.