As Plateau State enters the peak of the 2026 farming season, the Nigerian Army is signalling that sustaining security will increasingly depend on community ownership rather than military deployments alone, positioning dialogue, local partnerships and early conflict prevention as central pillars of long-term stability across the state's volatile farming and grazing corridors.
Desk: Defence & Security
Date: Friday, 17 July 2026
Time: 16:30 WAT
Location: Jos, Plateau State
Author: Nokai Origin
That strategic direction emerged from an expanded stakeholders' engagement convened by Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army and Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.
The engagement brought together representatives from all 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau State alongside traditional rulers, farmers, herders, community leaders, retired senior military officers and local government officials to consolidate peace gains ahead of the farming season.
The forum, according to the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olumide Victor Olukoya, formed part of the Division's continuing non-kinetic efforts to strengthen security through collaboration with local communities.
Military Strategy Increasingly Prioritises Prevention Over Reaction
Declaring the engagement open, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, described the gathering as more than a routine security meeting, presenting it instead as a confidence-building mechanism designed to prevent conflict before violence occurs.
Major General Oyinlola observed that improved collaboration among farmers, herders, traditional institutions, community leaders and security agencies has contributed to reducing tensions while allowing farming and grazing activities to continue with greater confidence. According to the outgoing commander, the peaceful resolution of several potential disputes demonstrates that enduring stability is achieved through sustained stakeholder engagement, mutual understanding and collective responsibility rather than force alone.
His remarks reflected an operational philosophy that increasingly complements kinetic military operations with preventive engagement capable of addressing the underlying drivers of recurring communal conflicts.
Non-Kinetic Operations Becoming Part Of Plateau's Security Architecture
The engagement also highlighted the expanding role of non-kinetic initiatives within Operation ENDURING PEACE.
Major General Oyinlola said community-led policing initiatives, Quick Impact Projects and sporting activities have strengthened public confidence, improved cooperation between communities and security agencies, and encouraged peaceful coexistence, particularly among young people.
While acknowledging improvements in the security environment, he cautioned that isolated criminal activities still possess the capacity to undermine existing gains if communities become complacent. He therefore urged stakeholders to remain vigilant, sustain collaboration with security agencies and ensure that resolutions reached during the engagement are implemented within their respective communities.
The emphasis reinforced the Army's broader assessment that security improvements can only become sustainable when translated into community behaviour at the grassroots.
Stakeholders Endorse Collaborative Security Approach
Contributions from community representatives reflected broad support for the engagement model adopted by Operation ENDURING PEACE.
Speaking on behalf of local stakeholders, Mr Dauda Adam Mamman credited the outgoing commander's consistent dialogue with communities for contributing to the relative peace presently enjoyed across Plateau State. He appealed to farmers and herders to continue exercising tolerance while encouraging communities to resolve disputes peacefully instead of confronting security personnel.
Representing Plateau State Local Government Chairmen, Chairman of Riyom Local Government Area, Honourable Sati Bature Shuwa, commended Major General Oyinlola's commitment to restoring stability and pledged the continued cooperation of local government councils with the incoming military leadership.
On behalf of retired senior military officers, Brigadier General JN Temlong (Retired) emphasised that security personnel remain deployed primarily to protect lives and property. He advocated stronger community-based early warning mechanisms, appreciated the support of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for Operation ENDURING PEACE and pledged continued cooperation with the incoming commander.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Plateau State Traditional Council and Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba Gyang, commended the Nigerian Army for improving peace and stability across the state. He urged communities to expose criminal elements through credible intelligence while stressing that peaceful coexistence remains fundamental to Plateau's development.
Leadership Transition Focuses On Sustaining Existing Gains
Responding to stakeholders, the incoming General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Maxwell Dangana, acknowledged the progress already recorded and assured participants that sustaining peace would remain a collective responsibility shared by both security agencies and communities.
Major General Dangana pledged impartial leadership and encouraged residents to identify and report criminal elements promptly, provide timely intelligence, pursue lawful conflict resolution mechanisms and avoid reprisals capable of reigniting communal tensions.
His remarks suggested continuity rather than policy change, indicating that stakeholder engagement, intelligence sharing and community partnership will remain central features of Operation ENDURING PEACE under the new leadership.
Plateau's Security Model Continues To Evolve
Beyond the formal transition between commanders, the engagement demonstrated the continued evolution of Plateau's security model from one dominated by military responses toward a broader framework integrating community participation, traditional institutions, local government structures and conflict prevention mechanisms.
Rather than viewing peace solely as the product of security operations, the engagement positioned it as a shared responsibility requiring continuous dialogue, mutual trust, credible intelligence and sustained cooperation among all stakeholders.
With farming activities intensifying across Plateau and neighbouring communities in Kaduna and Bauchi States, the resolutions emerging from the engagement reinforce the growing recognition that protecting livelihoods depends as much on strengthening relationships within communities as on maintaining military presence across the Joint Operations Area.
🏷️ Tags: Nigerian Army, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Plateau State, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, Major General Maxwell Dangana, Community Security, Farming Season, Conflict Prevention, Traditional Rulers, Internal Security
#ZigOriginals #ZigDiariesDefence #Nigeria #OperationEnduringPeace #PlateauState #ConflictPrevention #CommunitySecurity #NigerianArmy #InternalSecurity #PeaceBuilding
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