The Defence Headquarters has reorganised the special task force operating in Plateau State, North Central Region of Nigeria.

Defecne Spokesman, Col. Rabe Abubakar, announced this in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja. He explained that in the new arrangement, the erstwhile internal security outfit known as Special Task Force (STF) is now designated “Operation Safe Haven”.

“The arrangement is in line with the mission and vision of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin,” Col. Abubakar said, adding: “The reform is geared towards giving the security operation in the state more bite for better performance. With this vigour and determination, it is hoped that the incessant killings in the area as a result of ethnic clashes would be contained by the troops of the reinvigorated Operation Safe Haven in line with its Rules of Engagement.

“The DHQ wishes to assure innocent citizens of protection of their lives and property and urge the communities to live in peace and report any case inimical to the breaking down of law and order to the security agencies for prompt action as nobody is above the law.”

Col. Abubakar in another statement dismissed a report credited to an official of Amnesty International that military personnel are involved in gross violation of human rights and torture in the North East. “It is pertinent to state here that the allegations has been convincingly refuted and proven to be an orchestrated conspiracy against the Nigerian Armed Forces.”

He added: “The DHQ also wishes to once again remind the Nigerian public and the international community that the Nigerian military is a professional organisation with track records of achievements in peacekeeping operations and therefore shares no comparison with rag-tag band of terrorists whatsoever. The military is constitutionally empowered to secure Nigeria from any form of insecurity. It is therefore unfair for Amnesty International and any other group to accuse the Nigerian military of human rights abuse based on cropped images used by the country’s enemies and detractors to achieve their purpose.

“The Nigerian military under the new dawn will never humiliate or harass any law abiding citizen, and would remain focused to end terrorism soon.”

•Photo shows Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin.

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