The Acting General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Benjamin Ahanotu, has urged residents of the MambillaPlateau 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 GOCexpressed 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 hadbeendeployed to curtail any breachof security and urgedthem to report any threat to the troops for immediate action. He also urgedthe leadership of the Local Government to provide immediate succour to the people affected. Headvisedthe traditional rulers to carry out intense sensitisation to enlightentheir people to be their brother’s keeper.

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

Responding the Chairman ofSarduana Local Government, HonourableJohnYep, said the incident was quite unfortunate and promisedto work out modalities for peace. Healsosaid all wounded personsin the hospital wouldbe given free medical treatment. He addedthat food items hadbeen procuredby the Local Government to give those displaced and vowedto sensitise the localsto 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.