The General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, on Saturday June 14, 2025 met with key leaders from Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, urging them to unite against all forms of criminality in the area. The meeting was on the heels of the recent security breach in some communities under the LGA.
In his address at the meeting, the Commander wondered why the people have not given room to address the already identified triggers of crisis in the area. He emphasised that by allowing the triggers to be addressed, the entire general area would experience a positive shift from the current state.
In a statement on the meeting by Operation SAFE HAVEN Spokesperson, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, the Commander tasked the leaders to champion the peace process in their respective capacities, while security forces especially troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN will continue to sustain the kinetic approach which have proven effective in denying arm-carrying criminals freedom of action within the Joint Operations Area.
Major General Oyinlola, warned against injecting religious colouration into the situation, so as not to pass a wrong message to the people.
He advised religious leaders present at the meeting to educate their adherents on the need to treat criminality as it is without attaching religious sentiment.
The GOC appreciated various individuals who have always wanted genuine peace, and also encouraged those with double minds to stick with promoting a peace agenda which is for the betterment of all, adding that the engagement must set the tune for peaceful living and put an end to attacks on communities including killing of innocent civilians.
Key leaders who spoke at the meeting, including the Mishkaham Mwaghavul, chairmen of JNI and CAN, and Director-General Plateau Peace Building Agency, commended security agencies for their timely interventions, thereby preventing the recent security breach from spreading to more communities. They called on the people to eschew bitterness, and learn to live in peace with one another.
The leaders also agreed that the meeting was an evidence that Operation SAFE HAVEN is committed to securing lives and property in Mangu LGA and the entire Plateau State. They opined that the resolve to achieve peace must be mutual, hence the need for collective actions to achieving this objective.
Speaking on behalf of heads of other security agencies in Plateau State, the Commissioner of Police Plateau State, CP Emmanuel Adesina and the Director Department of State Services Plateau State Command, PE Damian called on the people of Mangu to continue to cooperate and support security agencies with timely intelligence to aid their operations.
They further urged community leaders to fish out bad eggs harboring in their various communities.
The meeting which climaxed with a robust interactive session is expected to usher in permanent peace in Mangu and environs.
