Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General W.M. Dangana, has issued a powerful appeal for peace to the Mhagavul and Fulani communities in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, urging them to set aside their differences and work together to end the recurring cycle of violence that has plagued the area for years. Dangana made the call on Monday, August 17, 2026, during a high-level stakeholders' engagement with leaders of the two communities held at the 3 Division headquarters conference room in Jos, according to a report by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.
The meeting, which was attended by the Chiefs of Staff of Headquarters 3 Division and Operation ENDURING PEACE, was convened specifically to address the grievances affecting the communities and to explore concrete measures towards finding lasting solutions to the lingering disputes that have frequently erupted into deadly violence. The GOC urged the stakeholders to put aside animosity, avoid violence, and pursue dialogue as the primary means of resolving their differences. He stressed that sustained peace and community cohesion were essential to enabling security agencies and local communities to effectively confront emerging security threats in the area, warning that continued conflict would only weaken their collective ability to resist criminal elements.
According to Dangana, genuine cooperation between the communities would strengthen confidence, improve information sharing, and create an environment conducive to peaceful coexistence and development. He further encouraged the community leaders to engage their people and discourage acts capable of escalating tensions, while also supporting security agencies in maintaining peace and stability. The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army and other stakeholders to strengthen peacebuilding initiatives and promote harmonious relations among communities in Mangu and other parts of Plateau State, which have witnessed recurring communal tensions in recent years.
Zagazola Makama reports that Mangu has witnessed recurring communal tensions in recent years, making sustained dialogue and confidence-building between the affected communities critical to preventing further escalation. The meeting comes on the heels of a series of violent incidents in the area, including a recent attack in Bin-Per community that left 24 people dead and led to a mass burial, with women staging a protest carrying leaves in a traditional sign of mourning. The GOC's engagement with community leaders is part of a broader strategy to complement kinetic military operations with non-kinetic peacebuilding efforts, reflecting a growing recognition that military force alone cannot resolve the deep-seated grievances that fuel communal violence.
The Nigerian Army, through Operation ENDURING PEACE, has been at the forefront of efforts to restore stability in Plateau State, which has been plagued by decades of farmer-herder conflicts, communal clashes, and banditry. The operation has focused on dominating ungoverned spaces, conducting clearance operations, and engaging with communities to build trust and promote dialogue. The GOC's call for peace between the Mhagavul and Fulani communities is a significant step towards addressing the root causes of the conflict, which are often rooted in competition over land, water, and political representation.
As the communities of Mangu grapple with the trauma of repeated attacks, the GOC's message of peace and dialogue offers a glimmer of hope. However, the success of these efforts will depend on the willingness of both sides to embrace peace and the commitment of the government and security agencies to address the underlying issues that have fuelled the violence for decades. For now, the ball is in the court of the Mhagavul and Fulani leaders, who must now decide whether to heed the GOC's call or allow the cycle of violence to continue. The stakes could not be higher, and the people of Mangu are watching closely.
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