Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau State on Sunday commended the efforts of the Special Task Foce (STF) for restoring peace to the state.
Jang gave the commendation at a valedictory church service held at the “The Parliament’’, in honour of the STF’s Commander, Maj.-Gen. Hanry Ayoola, who has been re-deployed from the state.
The governor, who was represented by Prof. Shdrack Best, Secretary to the State Government, said: “We thank God for the way He (God) used you in collaboration with other security agencies to give us peace.
“The government and people of Plateau are profoundly grateful and wish you well in your future endeavours.’’
He said that Ayoola took over leadership of the STF when the state was in crises but was leaving without crises and thanked him for steering STF “justly and without biases.
”The General is leaving the state better than he met it. The people of the state can now freely go about their normal businesses.’’
Jang, however, attributed a few incidences still being witnessed in the state to the activities of criminal elements which, he promised, to deal with.
“If a criminal block road and kill people and steal cattle, we cannot call such crises, it is an act of criminality,’’ he said.
He described the outgoing commander as paradox of a military general who effectively combined military work with service to God.
Rev Emmanuel Kanous, the Senior Pastor of the church, said that Ayoola’s outstanding service was not based on his competence or intelligence but God who ruled over him.
In his remark, Ayoola advised the people of the state to maintain the peace and cultivate the habit of helping one another.
“Continue with the prayer groups that you have on the Plateau. You should persistently continue with intercessions and do not allow little differences and worship patterns to divide you.’’
According to him, that is the only way the peace that returned to the state would be sustained, noting, however, that there are bound to be post crises challenges which must be tackled.
Maj. Gen. Bonna Awala, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Amoured Division, Jos, described Ayoola as an outstanding soldier and lauded his contribution to the restoration of peace to the state.
Awala assured the people that the military would continue to do its best until total peace was achieved in the country.
Dignitaries at the service included retired Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro, Rev Dafes Nwalbish, state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), traditional rulers and top government officials.
