Jos, Plateau State – September 6, 2025 – In a bid to strengthen non-kinetic approaches to peacebuilding, the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace on Saturday launched a tree planting campaign, donated relief items to an orphanage, and distributed wheelchairs to persons in need. The event, organized by Sector 1 of the operation, took place at Government College Jos, opposite Command Secondary School.
Speaking at the event, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, said the initiative underscored the military’s commitment not only to securing lives and property but also to enhancing community wellbeing.
“This exercise reflects one of the non-kinetic activities of our operations designed to win the hearts and minds of the people while promoting their health and overall quality of life,” Maj. Gen. Oyinlola said. “Beyond beautifying the environment, trees provide oxygen, reduce erosion, and mitigate the effects of climate change. As we continue to secure law-abiding citizens, we must also support host communities in building a clean and sustainable environment.”
He added that the rebranding of the Operation came with a renewed determination to combine tactical deployments with community-focused initiatives, urging citizens to cooperate with security agencies to consolidate peace.
Navy Captain Mahmoud Fana, Commander of Sector 1, emphasized the environmental importance of the campaign, warning against illegal tree felling and charcoal production, which he said had contributed to rising temperatures and worsening global warming effects in Plateau State.
Representing the Plateau State Government, Helen Philimon Haggai, Special Adviser to the Governor on NGOs, described the initiative as timely, urging individuals and institutions to embrace tree planting as part of efforts to safeguard the environment.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Kachollom Pyam Gang, noted that holding the exercise in a school was symbolic, as it would instill environmental consciousness in children from an early age.
“The citrus and high-yield trees planted today will benefit these students in the years to come. If nurtured, by the time the students complete their studies, they will harvest from the very trees they helped plant,” she said.
From the faith community, Bishop Stanley David of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged proper care for the trees and encouraged extending the initiative to other parts of the state. Similarly, Sheikh Yahaya Jingre, a Muslim cleric, called for holistic environmental protection, stressing that both farmers and herders depend on a healthy ecosystem.
Other dignitaries, including stakeholders and security personnel, applauded the military for its commitment to peace through community-centered interventions.
The event concluded with the planting of trees by dignitaries, followed by the presentation of donations to an orphanage and the distribution of wheelchairs, symbolizing Operation Enduring Peace’s resolve to blend security with sustainable development.
