Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
In a fresh push to strengthen stability and promote peaceful coexistence, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, has embarked on a series of strategic engagements with Christian and Muslim communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to the Army, the visits form part of ongoing non-kinetic peacebuilding efforts aimed at addressing persistent farmer-herder tensions and preventing violence during the harvest and forthcoming yuletide seasons.
During an address to a Christian congregation on November 9, 2025, Major General Oyinlola reaffirmed the neutrality and professionalism of the Armed Forces, assuring worshippers that the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force and Police remain institutions created for the collective safety of all Nigerians. He emphasized that the military stands with every community and is committed to protecting lives regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.
The GOC urged residents to collaborate more closely with security agencies, stressing that troops cannot be present everywhere and depend on timely intelligence. He appealed to community members to report suspicious activities immediately, assuring them of swift response at any hour. While condemning the cycle of killings that has plagued Plateau State, he vowed that the military would continue working tirelessly to stop violence on all sides.
Continuing his advocacy on November 14, the GOC addressed Muslim faithful during Jumu’ah prayers in Mahanga, where he called for patience, dialogue and mutual trust among communities. He noted that Plateau State has endured more than two decades of recurring conflict with casualties affecting all ethnic groups, including security personnel. He identified farmer-herder clashes as a major trigger and reminded worshippers that older generations once resolved disputes peacefully through dialogue and compensation.
Major General Oyinlola expressed concern that crisis merchants now exploit ethnic and communal divides for personal gain, warning residents not to fall for manipulation or resort to self-help. He insisted that intelligence sharing remains a critical tool for preventing escalation, especially during the harvest season when tensions typically rise.
He also condemned individuals and groups who benefit from instability, urging communities to unite against those undermining peace. Reaffirming Islam as a religion of peace, he encouraged residents to uphold principles that promote harmony and mutual respect.
The GOC further disclosed plans for an all-inclusive stakeholders’ meeting to be convened in the coming days. The gathering will bring together traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth representatives and community stakeholders from across all local government areas in Plateau State. The objective, he said, is to strengthen dialogue and renew collective commitment to peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that no conflict is ever resolved through violence.
The address was officially communicated by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 3 Division Nigerian Army, on November 14, 2025.
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PHOTO CREDIT: HQ Nigerian Army
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