News

GOC 3 Division Intensifies Peace Advocacy, Engages Christian and Muslim Communities in Plateau

Published

12 months ago

November 16, 2025

vicky

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), Major General Folusho Oyinlola, has stepped up peacebuilding efforts in Plateau State with strategic engagements across Christian and Muslim worship centres in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

The visits, conducted on November 9 and 14, 2025, are part of ongoing non-kinetic strategies designed to mitigate farmer-herder tensions and prevent violence as the state enters the harvest and yuletide seasons — periods historically marked by heightened conflict.

Addressing a Christian congregation in Barkin Ladi on November 9, Major General Oyinlola reaffirmed the professionalism and neutrality of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, stressing that all security agencies remain committed to protecting every citizen without bias.

“The Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police are your institutions, established for the collective good,” he said. “We are here for you, and we are part of you.”

He urged residents to strengthen cooperation with security personnel and to promptly report suspicious activities, assuring them of the military’s readiness to respond swiftly to threats.

Condemning the cyclical violence in Plateau, the GOC vowed that Operation ENDURING PEACE would intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks fueling the killings. “Lives are too precious. We will work tirelessly to stop the killings on all sides,” he added.

On November 14, the GOC continued his engagement, addressing Muslim faithful during Jumu’ah prayers in Mahanga. He emphasized dialogue, patience, and trust as essential tools for restoring stability, noting that the state has endured more than two decades of recurring conflict that has deeply affected communities and security forces alike.

He highlighted farmer-herder disputes as a major driver of violence, warning that “crisis merchants” often manipulate local grievances for personal gain. He appealed to residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands and instead rely on security agencies trained to handle disputes.

“With the harvest season approaching, we must remain vigilant,” he cautioned. “From today, I do not want to hear of killings on any side. If anything happens, reach out to us immediately and we will act.”

Major General Oyinlola encouraged communities to reject individuals who profit from instability and urged Muslims to uphold the peaceful teachings of Islam.

Looking ahead, the GOC announced plans for a statewide stakeholders’ meeting involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, and community representatives to strengthen early-warning systems and deepen peacebuilding efforts.

Reaffirming the commitment of the 3 Division and OPEP troops, he stressed that violence cannot resolve conflict. “Dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence remain the best path forward for Plateau State,” he said.

— ALIYU DANJA
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations
3 Division Nigerian Army
14 November 2025

News

Those criticising APC on insecurity did nothing for 20 years – Yari

Published

1 hour ago

November 14, 2026

PlateauReports

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has criticised those accusing the ruling party of failing to address insecurity, saying they did nothing to tackle the problem for over 20 years.

Yari made the remarks on Saturday during the APC presidential rally in Jos, Plateau State, while defending the administration of President Bola Tinubu against criticisms over its handling of insecurity.

“Those who are saying we don’t have a plan for security, I want to remind them that they did nothing about insecurity for over 20 years because it started during their time,” Yari said

The former governor of Zamfara State assured Nigerians that the APC would implement its manifesto, adding that the party expected to achieve almost all its promises by 2031.

Yari also expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said political leaders and influential figures in the state had assured President Tinubu of their support.

Yari further praised Tinubu’s leadership, particularly over the increase in revenue accruing to the Federation Account.

He recalled that the President inherited a federation account balance of N732 billion in June 2023, but said the figure had since risen to trillions of naira.

News

2027: We won't endorse any politician, political party – Yoruba Imams, Alfas

Published

1 hour ago

November 14, 2026

PlateauReports

The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it would not endorse any politician or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the League, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, made this declaration at the opening of a three-day conference organised by the League for Imams, Alfas, political office holders and traditional rulers.

The event, which took place in Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by Governor Seyi Makinde, President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar, Alfa Agba of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulbari Adetunji, Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, Secretary General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat and Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) Sheikh Hashim Atere and Professor Kamil Olosho.

Others are Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye, Professor Amidu Sanni, Professor Adam Surajudeen and Iyalode Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sedeekat Aderibigbe, alongside other notable Islamic clerics, scholars and Muslims from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Ondo states.

Abdullahi El-Ilory while speaking on behalf of the League, explained that the group cannot declare support or announce any politician or political party as its choice for the forthcoming general elections.

He explained that the only thing the League can do and is still doing is to pray to God to give Nigerians credible leaders that will make life more meaningful for the citizens.

Abdullahi El-Ilory said, "We are religious leaders, we are not politicians, but we are the fathers of politicians. We will not declare support for any political party or politicians.

"We the league of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland cannot declare support or announce our support for any politician or political party. We can only pray to God for Him to give us credible leaders."

Makinde, while addressing the gathering, urged Nigerians to see themselves as one.

He advised Muslim clerics not to allow people to use religion to cause confusion in the forthcoming general elections.

Kewulere, in his contribution, noted that the focus of clerics should be to guide the people and preach the religion of Islam.

He said, "We are not politicians. An Imam is not supposed to be involved in politics. Our focus should be to guide people and preach the religion of Islam in line with the Islamic principles."

Ishola, on his part, explained that the programme was organised in order to ensure unity and cooperation among Muslims in Yorubaland before, during and after the general elections.

2027: We won’t endorse any politician, political party – Yoruba Imams, Alfas