The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General EF Oyinlola, has reaffirmed the security forces’ commitment to maintaining peace in Plateau State. Speaking during an engagement with stakeholders from Mangu Local Government Area, General Oyinlola emphasized the need for unified action to ensure a secure 2025 farming season.
The event, themed “Consolidating on the Security Gains for a Peaceful Farming Season,” focused on promoting stability for agricultural growth. Oyinlola stressed the importance of security for prosperity, noting that farming and herding are the backbone of livelihoods in the region. “Security remains the bedrock of any society’s progress,” he stated, warning that insecurity disrupts farming, affecting households and heightening tensions.
He called on stakeholders to resist violence and work collaboratively with security agencies to prevent conflicts that could jeopardize the farming season. Reflecting on past successes, the GOC highlighted the reduction in clashes between herders and farmers, which led to a peaceful harvest last year. “We must consolidate on the gains made so far by ensuring the forthcoming farming season is incident-free,” he urged, emphasizing dialogue and forgiveness over conflict.
General Oyinlola reiterated that security is a shared responsibility, urging traditional and religious leaders, women, and youths to actively maintain peace. “No single security agency can achieve lasting peace without the cooperation of the people,” he said.
During the engagement, the Plateau State Governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Workers Welfare and Corporate Affairs, Rt. Hon. Titus Alams, echoed the call for lasting peace. Alams noted, “Without peace, the development Plateau desires will be difficult to achieve.” He highlighted the governor’s efforts to modernize farming, including the provision of over 200 tractors for farmers.
Alams urged stakeholders to support the government’s efforts by promoting unity and dialogue, stating, “If we give the governor peace, Plateau will be transformed.”
Representing the Plateau Peacebuilding Agency, Mr. Kenneth Dawop emphasized the need to build trust between communities in Mangu through dialogue. He highlighted the role of the Community Peace Architecture Forum (CPAF) in fostering cooperation between farmers and herders.
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Chairman ofMangu LGA, represented by Mr. Adamu Abdulsalam, urged tolerance between locals and herders for a successful farming season, while the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman of Mangu LGA, Mr. Daluk Timothy Samson, called for displaced farmers to return to their lands and for both parties to forgive each other.
Mrs. Khadija Mohammed of FOMWAN stressed the importance of understanding between locals and herders, saying, “If there is a great understanding, these crises would not occur.” She urged leaders to tackle the root causes of conflict and ensure criminals are not harbored. While Mrs. Nanchin Dalek, a women leader, echoed this call, highlighting the shared burden of violence on women and appealing for unity and trust to allow displaced people to return to their lands.
HRH John Putman Hirse, represented by HRH the Sum Pyem, called for unity and collaboration ahead of the farming season, urging the revisiting of agreements and promoting forgiveness to restore Mangu’s reputation as the “food basket of the nation.”
The Executive Chairman of Mangu Local Government Council, Hon. Emmanuel Mwolpun Bala, in his goodwill message, emphasized the need for love and tolerance among the people, calling on farmers and herders to work together for the success of the farming season. “Let us approach this farming season with optimism, unity, and a commitment to peace,” he concluded.
