Operation Safe Haven Engages Stakeholders In Mangu
The Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) has continued the engagement with stakeholders, farmers and herders in order to ensure a successful 2025 farming season within its Joint Operations Area.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement held in Mangu, Plateau state on 13 March 2025, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, said the engagement was crucial to prepare the minds of herders and farmers towards a successful farming season 2025. He described the theme of the engagement which is “Consolidating on the Security Gains for a Peaceful Farming Season” as a catalyst for peace and prosperity in communities.
Major General Oyinlola reiterated the commitment of 3 Division and OPSH to continue exploring robust non-kinetic strategies towards fostering peaceful coexistence in communities. The commander added that the people of Mangu and Pankshin LGAs must agree to live together irrespective of religion and ethnic background, to achieve stability and economic prosperity.
The commander assured that security agencies will collaborate with communities to provide timely and effective responses to security challenges, while noting that the cooperation of stakeholders is vital towards sustaining peace as the year 2025 farming season approaches. Major General Oyinlola added that security will be provided for displaced communities to enable internally displaced persons return to farming, thereby boosting their economic growth and improving standard of living.
Stakeholders who spoke during the engagement including the Mishkaham Mwaghavul, Ngolong Ngas, Director-General Plateau Peace Building Agency and chairmen of Mangu and Pankshin LGAs, emphasised the need for farmers and herders to tolerate one another so as to achieve a successful farming season. The stakeholders advised that past agreements on farming season should be revisited, serving as guidance to the activities of both herders and farmers during the important farming season. While decrying the deep seated mutual suspicion that exist among different ethnic groups in the LGAs when crimes are committed, the stakeholders agreed that trust must be built by allowing peace to reign.
The Special Guest of Honour (SGoH), His Excellency the Executive Governor of Plateau state, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, represented by a former Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Titus Alams, remarked that government has made Plateau comfortable for people to come in and do businesses. He enjoined the people to support government efforts at finding a common ground for farmers and herders to operate.
Present at the event were top government officials, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, women leaders, and youth representatives.
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