By Abdullahi Alhassan
The outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, has emphasised that sustained dialogue, mutual trust and collaboration among stakeholders remain the most effective tools for achieving lasting peace across Plateau State and parts of Kaduna and Bauchi states.
Oyinlola made the assertion during a one-day expanded stakeholders’ engagement held at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, where participants drawn from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State, traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, farmers, herders, retired senior military officers and local government officials deliberated on strategies to sustain peace ahead of the farming season.
Declaring the forum open, the outgoing GOC said continuous engagement with critical stakeholders had significantly reduced tensions between farming and herding communities, creating a more secure environment for agricultural and grazing activities within the Joint Operations Area.
He described the forum as a vital platform for dialogue, confidence-building and peaceful conflict resolution, noting that several potential crises had been averted through collective commitment to peaceful engagement.
“The peaceful resolution of several potential conflicts shows that lasting peace depends on sustained stakeholder engagement, mutual understanding and collective responsibility,” Oyinlola stated.
The Army commander also highlighted the success of Operation ENDURING PEACE’s non-kinetic initiatives, including community-based policing, Quick Impact Projects and youth sporting programmes, which he said had strengthened public confidence and enhanced security across the operational area.
While acknowledging the improved security situation, Oyinlola cautioned that isolated criminal activities could undermine the progress already recorded if communities failed to remain vigilant.
He urged participants to ensure that resolutions reached during the meeting were effectively implemented at the grassroots.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, Mr. Dauda Adam Mamman commended the outgoing GOC for his consistent engagement with communities, describing the approach as instrumental to the prevailing peace in Plateau State.
He appealed to farmers and herders to continue embracing tolerance and resolve grievances through peaceful dialogue rather than confronting security personnel.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Riyom Local Government Area and representative of Plateau State Local Government Chairmen, Hon. Sati Bature Shuwa, praised Oyinlola’s leadership and assured the incoming commander of the continued cooperation and support of local government councils.
Representing retired senior military officers, Brigadier General J.N. Temlong (Rtd) advocated stronger community-based early warning mechanisms to complement security operations.
He appreciated the Chief of Army Staff for his continued support to Operation ENDURING PEACE, stressing that security personnel remained committed to protecting lives and property.
The Chairman of the Plateau State Traditional Council and Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Buba Gyang, called on residents to expose criminal elements and provide credible intelligence to security agencies.
He underscored the importance of peaceful coexistence for the state’s socio-economic development and urged the incoming GOC to sustain the stakeholder engagement initiative.
In his remarks, the incoming GOC, 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Maxwell Dangana, pledged to uphold fairness and professionalism in the discharge of his responsibilities.
He reminded residents that security is a collective responsibility and encouraged communities to provide timely intelligence, resolve disputes through lawful means and reject acts of reprisal.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to protecting lives and property,” Dangana assured.
Earlier, in his vote of thanks, the Deputy Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Commissioner of Police T. Iyua, lauded Major General Oyinlola for his exemplary leadership and welcomed Major General Dangana to the command, expressing confidence that the collaborative security efforts would be sustained.
The stakeholders’ engagement concluded with an interactive session during which participants proposed practical measures aimed at consolidating existing security gains and ensuring a peaceful and productive 2026 farming season.
