Army Vows To Protect Plateau Residents As Farming Season Begins

Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to protect life, property  and livelihoods in Plateau State, particularly as communities prepare for the farming season.

Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of “Operation Enduring Peace”, made this known yesterday during a strategic stakeholders’ engagement from Barkin Ladi local government area.

He stated that Operation Enduring Peace would intensify the aggressive clearance of criminal elements from their hideouts, maintain heightened patrols in identified  flashpoints, and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies across the state.

According to him, these kinetic operations, combined with non-kinetic initiatives, are designed to deliver lasting peace.

He called on stakeholders to continue supporting the military in its efforts to ensure lasting peace is restored in Plateau.

LEADERSHIP Friday reports that the meeting comes amid relative calm recently recorded in Barkin Ladi, which Maj. Gen. Oyinlola attributed to sustained dialogue, deliberate conflict mitigation efforts, and the collective resolve of residents to promote peaceful coexistence.

The Commander  however  expressed concerns  over emerging threats, including attacks on miners at mining sites in parts of the state and an unusually large influx of cattle into farming communities.

“These are clear early warning signs that demand urgent, collective action,” Oyinlola warned. “We cannot allow Barkin Ladi to relapse into avoidable conflict, especially now that the farming season is commencing, a period vital to the livelihoods of countless families.”

To further support peaceful agricultural activities and reduce tensions, he disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede  has directed the distribution of fertiliser to stakeholders from both farming and herding communities as part of non kinetic measures aimed at encouraging and sustaining agricultural production.

He also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu  for the prompt deployment of an elite Special Forces unit to Plateau State to reinforce ongoing security operations.

Maj. Gen. Oyinlola urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community heads to strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms, sensitise youths against provocative actions such as farm encroachment, cattle poisoning, and attacks on livestock, and work together to develop and enforce a community-driven code of conduct for peaceful coexistence.

He further appealed to residents to promptly report suspicious movements or activities to security personnel, stressing that troops under Operation Enduring Peace are deployed to enforce peace, uphold justice, and protect all law-abiding citizens, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or affiliation.

“Our loyalty is to the Constitution and the collective safety of Nigerians,” he said. “Security is a shared responsibility. We depend on timely and credible intelligence from communities to act decisively against criminal elements” he added.