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.
The Charismatic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, under the leadership of Leonard Kawas, has explained why its group of clerics switched support from the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Kawas, in an interview with Channels Television, said he supported Obi against Tinubu in 2023.
According to the cleric, he and his group believe President Tinubu is on the right track, which is why they decided to back his re-election bid.
“Well, in 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was contesting against Peter Obi, but I chose Peter Obi. If it was for convenience, I would have chosen Tinubu, but I did not in 2023. It is my fundamental human right. Based on the issues on the ground and the leading of the Spirit, I and my group are supporting President Tinubu for 2027 because we believe he is on the right course. He will definitely take Nigeria to very high heights in all ramifications,” he said.
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DAILY POST reports that the Charismatic Bishops became a subject of political discussion following their endorsement of President Tinubu.
This comes as Tinubu, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and other presidential candidates are set to battle in the January 16, 2027, presidential election.
The Nigerian Army has warned that terrorist groups, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), may be planning coordinated attacks on churches, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable public places across Nigeria.
The warning was contained in a communication dated September 9, 2026, signed by AM Sodiq and addressed to the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan. SaharaReporters obtained the document.
According to the Army, intelligence indicates “increasing mobilisation of resources and foot-soldiers” by terrorist groups for possible attacks in parts of the North-East, North-West, North-Central and some areas of the South-West.
It warned that the attacks could happen “any moment from now” and identified Catholic and Protestant churches, primary and secondary schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations as possible targets.
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The Army also said it had received information about the movement of scores of armed fighters from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The military further disclosed that suspected ISWAP members had started monitoring some of the identified targets, allegedly with the help of local collaborators.
“Further intelligence revealed that suspected members of Islamic States West African Province (ISWAP) have commenced surveillance and reconnaissance activities against identified targets with support from their local collaborators,” the document stated.
The Army expressed particular concern about schools ahead of the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.
It said the terrorists could be planning to exploit the return of large numbers of students and teachers to cause mass casualties and create fear.
“Of particular concern is the targeting of educational institutions, with the anticipated period of the attack assessed to coincide with the resumption of schools for the 2026/2027 academic session,” the document stated.
It added that the timing was “intended to exploit concentration of students and staff to cause mass casualties and heighten public fear and insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
The Army said the intelligence suggested that the groups may have moved beyond planning and could already be preparing for the attacks.
“This development suggests possible progression from intent to preparatory activity and therefore warrants heightened vigilance around identified locations and similarly exposed facilities,” it said.
The military consequently called for increased surveillance and stronger security measures around the identified targets and other public places considered vulnerable.