The National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has warned that calls to withdraw soldiers from flashpoints in Plateau State pose a threat to lives and property.

The Islamic cleric expressed strong disapproval during a press briefing in Jos on Tuesday, calling on the relevant authorities to reject the call.

The cleric’s warning follows a demand by the Plateau State government to withdraw troops from flashpoints, citing their failure to prevent attacks in the state.

Daily Trust reports that the Special Envoy on Peace and Security to governor Caleb Mutfwang, Prof. Chris Kwaja, in a statement on Friday, called on the federal government to consider withdrawing of the soldiers and replacing them with mobile policemen.

The state government had demanded the withdrawal of the soldiers two days after 27 persons were killed in Tahoss community of Riyom LGA of the state.

Reacting to the demand, Sheikh Jingir said, “We do not support the call to withdraw soldiers from flashpoints. It is not beneficial to the security of lives and property. Since the outbreak of violence in the state, soldiers have been doing their best to restore order.

“We have confidence in all federal security agencies, including the police. We do not support the removal of soldiers or the police; rather, we support a combination of all security agencies, like Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), as a strategy by the federal government to achieve lasting peace in the state. We appreciate the federal government and the security chiefs for maintaining the operation. The operation comprises personnel from all tribes and regions.”

Sheikh Jingir, however, called on all citizens of Plateau to unite and live peacefully, irrespective of ethnoreligious differences. (Daily Trust)