NIGERIAN MILITARY TASKFORCE SET TO RETURN DISPLACED PERSONS IN PLATEAU STATE.[PHOTOS}.

    The  Special Task Force (STF) otherwise known as Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), set up by the Nigerian government to curb restiveness in Plateau state in the troubled Central region has perfected strategies to return and resettle displaced persons who fled their ancestral homes in the ongoing skirmishes between farmers and herders.
Sky News recalls that the local communities under Barkin-ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau state were under siege few weeks back with gunmen running rampage killing over 200 persons and destroying properties, leading to residents fleeing their communities to safety.The unfortunate incident led to the Commander of the STF, Major Gen. Anthony Atolagbe to relocate its headquarters alongside all principal officers to Barkin-ladi, from where he now commands the operation.However speaking with the STF boss on the level of security in the affected area, since the relocation of the command, Gen. Atolagbe said he has realigned the force to cover all gaps.“We have also reorganized the response team for quicker and lethal response to all part of the operational area, as well as reinforcement of the villages with more men and equipment; we have as a matter of confidence building embarked on visits to the affected communities to reassure them and also encourage troops to put up resistance to repel attacks.“The command has also strengthened its collaboration with other security agencies in all the troubled areas to build synergy and concentration of efforts to combat any invading attackers”, he said.However a chat with a security official attached to the command who spoke anonymously said Gen. Atolagbe has deployed all form of motivation to keep them in their new operational base in Barkin-ladi.“We are well fed and have good accommodation in Barkin-ladi: Our Commander has kept us in an undisclosed hotel and every evening a ram is slaughtered for our delight.“Non of us has any excuse not to work, and this explains the speedy results we have achieved in a short while.“Residents of the deserted local community of Burdinga will soon be returning home, the Commander has increased patrol of personnel within the area: people are not aware that Burdinga is also deserted with churches and buildings burnt down.“One of the challenges we had before now is limited personnel to man every nook and cranny as well as faced with the challenges of accessing difficult terrains, but the Commander in his wisdom has purchased motorbikes to access those difficult locations and has also call for increase in personnel which he has strategically positioned in each troubled community to respond to invaders”, he said.Over 52 communities have been displaced by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in the northern zone of Plateau, from 2001 till date in the war of attrition over grazing rights, our correspondent reports.More photos below.