Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) has held a decentralised stakeholders’ engagement in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State aimed at consolidating security gains recorded during the Yuletide season and strengthening preparations for the forthcoming farming season across the Joint Operational Area.
The engagement, which brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, community representatives, women groups, youth leaders and other critical stakeholders, also featured the distribution of fertilisers to encourage farming activities and support livelihoods within the area.
Stakeholders from Mangu LGA were joined by representatives from neighbouring Pankshin LGA in Plateau State as well as Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Areas of Bauchi State, reflecting the regional approach to peacebuilding and security cooperation.
Speaking at the forum on January 29, 2025, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander, Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, described the gathering as a strategic necessity in the collective journey toward sustainable peace, security and development in Mangu and Plateau State at large.
He commended the people of Mangu for their commitment to peace, noting a noticeable decline in violent incidents in recent months. According to him, the relative calm is the product of sustained dialogue, conflict mitigation efforts, community cooperation and a shared resolve to put aside differences for the greater good.
Major General Oyinlola, however, expressed concern over emerging security challenges in parts of the state, including attacks on miners and the increasing influx of cattle into farming communities. He said while livestock movement is not unusual, the scale and timing of recent movements raise legitimate security concerns and have already led to farm destruction, isolated attacks and reprisals.
“With the farming season about to commence, any disruption to agricultural activities will have dire consequences for food security, economic stability and social harmony,” he said, stressing that early warning signs must not be ignored.
He disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) approved the distribution of fertilisers to stakeholders from both farming and herding communities as part of efforts to encourage peaceful farming activities within the Joint Operations Area.
The GOC called on traditional, religious and community leaders to strengthen community-based conflict resolution mechanisms and remain at the forefront of dialogue between aggrieved parties. He also urged herding and farming communities to educate their members against farm destruction, cattle poisoning and other actions that often trigger crises.
He further appealed for the development of a community-driven code of conduct for peaceful coexistence, improved early warning systems, timely sharing of information with security agencies and responsible media reportage.
Reiterating that security agencies are neutral and constitutionally mandated to protect all law-abiding citizens, Major General Oyinlola emphasised that security is a collective responsibility and called on communities to provide actionable intelligence on criminal elements.
He assured stakeholders that Operation Enduring Peace will continue to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, including sustained patrols, clearance operations and engagement with communities, to safeguard lives and property.
In his remarks, the Vice President of the Mangu Traditional Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness Charles Mato Dakat, the Sum Pyem-Gindiri, praised the military for their efforts, particularly the peaceful Yuletide season. He stressed that criminality should not be given ethnic or religious coloration and called for unity and collective response to any issue capable of triggering tension.
Other speakers, including Comrade Illiya Emmanuel from Tafawa Balewa LGA, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Mangu LGA, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association Women Wing, Grace Joseph Gora, and the Women Leader of Bogoro LGA, Mbam Dakuna, commended Operation Enduring Peace for its interventions in their respective areas and lauded the fertiliser distribution initiative.
Representing the Chairman of Mangu LGA, the Council Secretary, Hon. Dachahat Tongpan Yusuf, described the engagement as timely and impactful, noting that Mangu is gradually reclaiming its identity as the “Home of Peace and Pillar of Food” on the Plateau. He appreciated the military, traditional rulers and stakeholders for their roles in restoring peace and called for sustained collaboration to protect the gains achieved.
The engagement concluded with the presentation of fertilisers to community representatives, while the GOC reaffirmed the commitment of troops to sustaining peace and urged all stakeholders to remain actively engaged in peacebuilding efforts.
