By Kingsley Chukwuka
The Nigerian Army 3 Division headquarters, has raised concern over a malicious campaign of distorted facts against the person of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3div. Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Ali.
The concern of the Army became more imperative as Gen. Ali also doubles as the Commander of the Military Task Force, code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), saddled with the responsibility to restore and maintain peace in Plateau State, Southern Kaduna and some parts of Bauchi State.
The Army General is being recently maligned for leading a positive campaign to end hostility within the warring factions in Plateau, a statement released Friday in Jos, by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Major Eli Lazarus, said.
In the statement the Military frowned at a recent publication aimed at destroying the tireless work of Ali, tagging it the handy work of mischief makers.
The Army urged the general public not to be distracted by the conscious efforts of mischief makers to discredit one of the most outstanding icon in the battle for actualisation of genuine and lasting peace.
The publication which claimed that the GOC is from Miango community, hence he is supporting the Fulanis against the Irigwes among other wild and unsubstantiated allegations, had prompted the Army to come up with a rejoinder.
The publication became a matter of concern as recently Bassa Local Government Area in Plateau was thrown into mourning as gunmen suspected to be herders, attacked hamlets in Miango, Irigwe chiefdom.
Responding however, the Army said: “Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Sallau Ali was born in Nasarawa, Kano Municipal Council of Kano State to family of Late Alhaji Sallau Ali and Late Hajia Aishatu Ibrahim.
“He attended Lebanon Primary School Kano in 1974 and proceeded to Saint Thomas Secondary School Kano in 1980. Major General Ali attended the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna and completed his Cadet training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, United Kingdom.
“Gen. Ali attended several military courses and served in different theatres of operation within and outside the country. The GOC survived gunshot wounds sustained in 2 separate operations in the past. He succeeded Brigadier General BA Muhammad as the 41st GOC 3 Division Nigerian Army and Major General DC Onyemulu as Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN on 12 and 13 July respectively.
“Such a General that is lucky to be alive today certainly knows and appreciates the value of peace in any part of the country”, the statement reads in part.
The Army said no amount of blackmail will stop the General from discharging his duties within the rules of engagement.
Our correspondent reports that Gen. Ali had on Wednesday said he will ensure fairness and justice in dealing with security challenges confronting the State and had called for continuous prayers from religious leaders.