The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on Friday officially launched Operation Enduring Peace as the new identity of the Joint Task Force in Plateau State, bringing to a close the long-running Operation Safe Haven.
The unveiling took place at the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division Headquarters in Jos, where General Musa described the change as a strategic shift aimed at strengthening military effectiveness and restoring lasting peace across Plateau and adjoining states of Kaduna, Benue, and Nasarawa.
“Today, we gather to mark a significant and strategic transition in our ongoing commitment towards restoring sustainable peace, security, and stability,” Musa declared. “It is with great honour that I formally deactivate Operation Safe Haven and operationalize its successor: Operation Enduring Peace.”
He acknowledged the successes of Operation Safe Haven in addressing communal conflicts, banditry, and stabilizing communities but noted that it was often constrained by structural and operational challenges. The new operation, he said, will emphasize intelligence-driven interventions, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, improved logistics, and stronger community engagement.
“This rebranding is not cosmetic,” he stressed. “It reflects a broader mandate and a stronger resolve to secure not just temporary safety, but a lasting peace that will endure for generations.”
The CDS explained that Operation Enduring Peace will adopt a “whole-of-society” approach, calling on political leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures, and local communities to partner with the military. He also announced the deployment of additional personnel and equipment, alongside welfare initiatives for troops in the field.
General Musa expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministers of Defence, the National Security Adviser, and the people of Plateau for their support, charging troops to embrace the new mission with renewed pride and discipline.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General EF Oyinlola, described the rebranding as a “strategic realignment” to make security responses more proactive and effective. “Our goal is clear: to consolidate the gains of the past, close existing gaps, and establish a sustainable framework for peace that will endure well into the future,” he stated, urging communities and civil society to strengthen their partnerships with the military.
The event also featured the hoisting of the new operational flag, commissioning of newly acquired assets—including armored personnel carriers, tanks, and motorbikes—and a charge to freshly deployed troops.
The ceremony formally closed the chapter of Operation Safe Haven, which had been active in Plateau and neighbouring states for years, and ushered in Operation Enduring Peace, which security agencies say represents a renewed commitment to achieving lasting stability in the region.
