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Army Holds Stakeholders’ Meeting in Riyom, Jos South to Consolidate Peace, Prepare Communities for Farming Season
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.
NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc has paid over ₦5.5 billion in claims to policyholders as at April 2026, reaffirming its long-standing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most dependable and customer-focused insurance brands.
The claims payout, according to the company cuts across both General and Life businesses, underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its promises to customers promptly and consistently, even as Nigeria’s insurance industry continues to evolve amid recapitalisation and increased market scrutiny.
A breakdown of the claims settlement shows that the sum of ₦3,668,742,117.69 was paid under the General Business portfolio, while ₦1,914,029,614.93 was disbursed under the Life Business portfolio, covering Group Life and Retail Life policies.
The payouts covered a broad spectrum of claims including motor, engineering, marine, life protection, death benefits and other insured risks.
Equally important, Mutual Benefits has consistently earned commendation from policyholders for its responsiveness during difficult moments.
A retail customer whose motor insurance claim was recently settled by the company described the experience as reassuring:“You never truly know the value of insurance until something goes wrong. What stood out for me was how quickly Mutual Benefits responded and resolved my claim without unnecessary stress.”
Another Group Life beneficiary noted: “At a very difficult time for our family, Mutual Benefits came through professionally and compassionately. The support made a real difference.”
Speaking on the development, Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc., Olufemi Asenuga described the payout as more than a financial transaction.
“Insurance is ultimately about trust. At Mutual Benefits, we understand that our relevance is not measured merely by policies sold, but by our ability to stand by customers when they need us most.”
He noted further that the consistent settlement of genuine claims reflects the company’s strong operational structure, disciplined underwriting approach and enduring commitment to policyholders across Nigeria.
Industry analysts have continued to emphasise the importance of prompt claims settlement in deepening insurance penetration and restoring public confidence in the sector.
A Lagos-based insurance and financial services analyst, Chinedu Okafor, stated that: “In a market where customers are increasingly demanding accountability and proof of value, insurers that consistently pay claims promptly will continue to earn long-term trust and market relevance.
Claims payment is the strongest form of marketing any insurance company can undertake.”
The latest payout comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s insurance industry, as operators continue to position for stronger financial capacity, operational efficiency and increased consumer confidence in line with ongoing recapitalisation conversations across the sector.
Mutual Benefits noted that while financial strength remains important, long-term sustainability in insurance is ultimately built on trust, service delivery and the ability to honour obligations consistently.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to improving customer experience, accelerating digital transformation, deepening insurance awareness and delivering innovative products tailored to the realities of individuals and businesses.
With over three decades of operations and a growing footprint across Nigeria, Mutual Benefits continues to position itself as a reliable partner for protection, wealth creation and peace of mind.
The post Mutual Benefits Settles Over ₦5.5bn Claims, Reinforces Customer Trust appeared first on Business Today NG.
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