Nigerian Army advocates dialogue, public enlightenment to foster peace in Plateau

By Innocent Raphael

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Maj. Gen. AE Abubakar, has stressed the importance of systematic dialogue and community enlightenment as crucial steps towards achieving lasting peace on the Plateau.

He made this assertion during a courtesy visit from Dr. Julie Sanda, the Director General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, at the Headquarters of 3 Division in Jos.

Abubakar highlighted the effectiveness of non-kinetic approaches such as engaging key stakeholders, hosting town hall meetings, organizing dialogues, promoting sporting activities, and enlightening locals in conflict-prone areas.

He commended the efforts of the Plateau Peace Building Agency in establishing peace desks across troubled areas, seeing it as a means to enhance information flow and bolster military operations in communities.

Dr. Julie Sanda, in her remarks, praised Abubakar for his remarkable achievements in ensuring security on the Plateau.

She emphasized the need for synergy and collaboration, especially in non-kinetic areas like peace education, gender abuse prevention, dialogue facilitation, community engagement, and conflict management.

Sanda also disclosed the agency’s plan to establish peace desks in all local government areas to ensure grassroots representation and contact.

Both parties expressed the importance of community-security relations and acknowledged OPSH’s efforts in implementing the peace agreement in Bassa Local Government.

The visit concluded with the exchange of mementos and group photographs, symbolizing the commitment to fostering peace and cooperation in the region.