The General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General EF Oyinlola, on Thursday led a decentralised stakeholders’ engagement aimed at sustaining recent security gains and preparing communities for the upcoming farming season.
The meeting, hosted by Sector 6 Commander of the Joint Task Force, Colonel PJ Malgwi, was held at the Conference Hall of Yelwa Club and brought together representatives of local communities, traditional leaders, security agencies, as well as Fulani and farming groups from Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas.
In his remarks, Oyinlola described the engagement as part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable peace and development across communities within the military’s operational area. He commended residents for cooperating with security agencies, noting that recent months had recorded a decline in violent incidents due to dialogue, conflict resolution initiatives, and improved community collaboration.
Despite the progress, the GOC warned of emerging threats capable of reversing the gains if not addressed early. He identified illegal mining, encroachment on farmlands, proliferation of locally fabricated weapons, cattle rustling, and reprisal attacks as key risks requiring collective vigilance.
He stressed that the approaching farming season was critical to livelihoods and warned that disruptions to agricultural activities could trigger wider economic consequences. Oyinlola disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff had approved the distribution of non-kinetic support, including fertilizers, to encourage farming and reinforce stability efforts.
The army commander urged traditional rulers, youth groups, and community stakeholders to promote peaceful coexistence and avoid actions capable of provoking violence, including destruction of property, attacks on livestock, and the spread of inflammatory narratives on social media. He also called on the media to remain professional and support peace-building initiatives.
During the interactive session, participants expressed willingness to cooperate with security agencies but raised concerns including compensation for rustled or killed cattle, restitution for destroyed farmlands, prosecution of offenders, fair justice processes, access to disputed lands, and better regulation of grazing routes and underage herders. They also emphasised the need for youth reorientation, stronger trust in security institutions, and respect for traditional leadership structures.
Responding, Oyinlola reaffirmed the military’s commitment to justice, human rights, and the protection of all law-abiding citizens regardless of ethnicity or religion. He assured that security forces were intensifying efforts to ensure farmers could safely access their lands throughout the season.
He also urged parents and guardians to guide their children and avoid shielding offenders, stressing that accountability is essential for lasting peace. Acknowledging the wider impact of insecurity, the GOC noted that fear disrupts education, markets, and livelihoods, and pledged continued collaboration with communities to restore normalcy.
The engagement concluded with the presentation of fertilizers to stakeholders, with the GOC urging community leaders to communicate the resolutions of the meeting to their respective communities as part of efforts to entrench lasting peace.
