The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, has warned against illegal mining activities and called for intensified community dialogue to sustain peace and security in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The GOC gave the warning on Wednesday in Bokkos during a decentralised stakeholders’ engagement organised to consolidate security gains recorded during the yuletide season and to prepare communities for a peaceful farming season within the Operation Enduring Peace Joint Operations Area. The meeting was held at the Conference Hall of the Bokkos Local Government Secretariat.
In his remarks, Major General Oyinlola described the engagement as a strategic necessity toward achieving sustainable peace, security and development in Bokkos and Plateau State at large.
He commended residents of Bokkos for their commitment to peace and harmonious coexistence, noting a noticeable decline in violent incidents in recent months, which he attributed to sustained dialogue, community cooperation and deliberate conflict mitigation efforts.
While acknowledging the progress made, the Army commander expressed concern over emerging security threats, including attacks on miners at mining sites and the increasing influx of large numbers of cattle into farming communities.
“Although livestock movement is not unusual, the scale and timing raise legitimate security concerns. These developments have already led to destruction of farmlands, isolated attacks on individuals and reprisals against livestock,” he said.
Oyinlola warned that such incidents pose serious implications for food security, economic stability and social cohesion, stressing that early collective action was required to prevent avoidable conflicts, especially with the farming season approaching.
He disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff had approved the distribution of fertilisers to stakeholders on both sides of the divide as a non-kinetic intervention to encourage farming activities and promote cooperation.
The GOC emphasised the need to strengthen community-based conflict resolution mechanisms, urging traditional, religious and community leaders to remain at the forefront of dialogue and mediation.
He also called on farming and herding communities to sensitise their members, particularly youths, to avoid actions such as farm destruction, cattle poisoning and attacks on livestock, which often trigger violence.
Major General Oyinlola further encouraged stakeholders to develop a community-driven code of conduct, enhance early warning systems, and promptly report threats to security agencies. He appealed to the media to exercise professionalism and avoid sensational or unverified reports that could escalate tension.
Reiterating that security agencies are neutral, he said they are deployed to enforce peace, uphold justice and protect all law-abiding citizens regardless of ethnicity or religion.
He assured residents that Operation Enduring Peace would continue to employ both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, including aggressive clearance of criminal hideouts and increased patrols in flashpoints, in collaboration with other security agencies.
In his address, the Executive Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Council, Hon. Amalau Samuel Amalua, said the council had been working closely with traditional rulers, community leaders and security agencies to foster peace.
He disclosed that the council holds routine security meetings, supports security personnel with logistics such as fuel, motorcycles and vehicle repairs, and assists victims of violence with medical bills and shelter.
Amalua added that displaced persons from Mushere had resolved to return to their communities to prepare for the upcoming farming season.
Also speaking, the Acting President of the Kulere Traditional Council, HRH Saf Lawrence Amadam Aizat, pledged the commitment of traditional institutions to continue dialogue and mediation, and urged residents not to take the law into their hands. He thanked the military for the fertiliser support.
A women leader, Theresa Sunday, commended the GOC and troops for their steadfastness, particularly during the peaceful yuletide period, and urged stakeholders to treat criminality objectively and exercise restraint.
Representatives of indigenous communities and Fulani groups acknowledged the peace achieved so far but highlighted some unresolved issues and disturbing trends that could threaten stability if not addressed.
Religious leaders, including Musa Usman Mashat of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Rev. David Amallam, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), jointly called for sustained dialogue, prayers and community commitment to peace.
In his closing remarks, Major General Oyinlola urged communities to choose peaceful coexistence and suggested the establishment of a standing multi-stakeholder committee at the local government level to continuously address emerging issues. He also called for increased information sharing on kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The engagement ended with the distribution of fertilisers to community representatives to support preparations for a peaceful farming season.
