The Acting General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Benjamin Ahanotu, has urged residents of the Mambilla Plateau to live in peace and harmony with one another. He made the statement at the Palace of the Chief of Mambilla, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju ll, during a stakeholder meeting with the Local Government Chairman, Councillors and District Heads of Sardauna Emirate/Mambilla Traditional Council.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Ogunsanya, the Acting GOC expressed his dismay and disappointment over the crisis between Mabillas and the Fulanis whom over the years had been living peacefully and harmoniously with each other. He therefore blamed the stakeholders for not nipping the crisis in the bud at the initial stage but allowed it deteriorated to the level that lives and property were lost and destroyed.

Gen. Ahanotu told the stakeholders that soldiers had been deployed to curtail any breach of security and urged them to report any threat to the troops for immediate action. He also urged the leadership of the Local Government to provide immediate succour to the people affected. He advised the traditional rulers to carry out intense sensitisation to enlighten their people to be their brother’s keeper.

Earlier in his remarks the Madaki Mambilla, Alhaji Isa Musa who represented the Chief of Mambila, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju ll commended the Nigerian Army for their quick intervention to prevent the escalation of the crisis. He said the Emirate Council on his part would do everything possible to prevent further occurrence of this ugly situation.

Responding the Chairman of Sarduana Local Government, Honourable John Yep, said the incident was quite unfortunate and promised to work out modalities for peace. He also said all wounded persons in the hospital would be given free medical treatment. He added that food items had been procured by the Local Government to give those displaced and vowed to sensitise the locals to live in peace.

The GOC was accompanied during the stakeholder's meeting by the Commander 23 Brigade Brig. Gen. BA Muhammad, Ag. Comd., 3 Military Intelligence Brigade, Col. A. S. O. Onilenla, Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Col. KO Ogunsanya and Commanding Officer 20 Battalion Lt. Col. A. Abdullahi, as well as the Ag. Commander, 3 Division Provost Group, Maj. E. O Otakpemehi.

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