The Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army and Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) on Thursday held a one-day expanded stakeholders’ engagement to strengthen collaboration towards sustaining a peaceful and successful farming season across Plateau State and adjoining communities in Kaduna and Bauchi States.
Held at Headquarters 3 Division, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, the forum brought together representatives of Plateau State’s 17 Local Government Areas, traditional rulers, community leaders, farmers, herders, retired senior military officers, local government officials and other stakeholders to discuss measures for sustaining peace, security and harmonious coexistence within the Joint Operations Area.
Declaring the engagement open, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), Major General Folusho Oyinlola, described the forum as a vital platform for dialogue, confidence building and peaceful conflict resolution.
He noted that improved collaboration among farmers, herders, traditional institutions, community leaders and security agencies had reduced tensions and enhanced farming and grazing activities.
The GOC stated that the peaceful resolution of several potential conflicts demonstrates that lasting peace depends on sustained stakeholder engagement, mutual understanding and collective responsibility. He said the progress recorded reflects stakeholders’ commitment to prioritising peace.
Major General Oyinlola also highlighted the successes of the Operation’s non-kinetic initiatives, noting that community-led policing, Quick Impact Projects and sporting activities have strengthened security, restored public confidence and promoted peaceful coexistence among youths.
While acknowledging improved security, the GOC warned that isolated criminal activities could threaten existing gains if not addressed. He urged stakeholders to remain vigilant, sustain cooperation and ensure resolutions reached at the meeting are implemented at the grassroots.
Speaking on behalf of local stakeholders, Mr Dauda Adam Mamman, commended the outgoing GOC’s consistent engagements, describing them as key to the relative peace in Plateau State.
He urged farmers and herders to remain tolerant and advised communities to channel grievances through peaceful mechanisms rather than confront security personnel.
Also speaking, the representative of Plateau State Local Government Chairmen and Chairman of Riyom Local Government Area, Honourable Sati Bature Shuwa, praised the outgoing GOC’s commitment to restoring peace. He expressed confidence that the achievements would be sustained and pledged the continued support of local government chairmen and stakeholders to the incoming GOC.
On behalf of retired senior military officers, Brigadier General JN Temlong (rtd) thanked the outgoing GOC and stakeholders for their commitment to peace, stressing that security personnel are deployed to protect lives and property, advocated stronger community-based early warning mechanisms, appreciated the Chief of Army Staff’s support for Operation ENDURING PEACE and pledged continued cooperation with the incoming GOC.
The Chairman of the Plateau State Traditional Council and Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba Gyang, commended the Nigerian Army and the outgoing GOC for improving peace and stability. He urged communities to expose criminal elements and provide credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that peaceful coexistence is vital for the state’s development while encouraging the incoming GOC to sustain stakeholder engagements.
Responding, the incoming GOC 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Maxwell Dangana, appreciated the stakeholders’ goodwill and acknowledged the security gains recorded, noting that sustaining peace requires collective commitment.
Major General Dangana assured stakeholders of impartial leadership and reaffirmed that security is a shared responsibility. He urged communities to identify and report criminal elements, provide timely intelligence, resolve grievances lawfully and avoid reprisals, assuring them of the Nigerian Army’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Deputy Commander Operation ENDURING PEACE, Commissioner of Police T Iyua, commended Major General Oyinlola’s leadership, appreciated participants for their contributions and welcomed Major General Dangana, wishing him a successful tenure.
According to a statement by Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 3 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olumide Victor Olukoya, “the engagement concluded with interactive sessions during which stakeholders proposed practical measures to consolidate the gains recorded within the Joint Operations Area ahead of the peak of the 2026 farming season.”
