Maj Gen Oyinlola Urges Dialogue Between Herders, Farmers in Bokkos LGA to Safeguard Peaceful Farming Season

By Asile Abel, Jos

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, has called for urgent and sustained dialogue among herders and farmers in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) and its surrounding communities.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement at the Conference Hall of the Bokkos Local Government Secretariat, Gen. Oyinlola emphasized that early warning signs cannot be ignored.

“We cannot afford to ignore these early warning signs; collective and timely action is required to prevent Bokkos from sliding into avoidable conflict,” he said. With the farming season about to commence, he noted that this period is critical for many families in securing their livelihoods.

The meeting aimed to consolidate security gains achieved during the yuletide season and prepare communities for a peaceful farming period within the Operation Enduring Peace Joint Operations Area.

“As we deliberate on strategies for a peaceful farming season, I must emphasize the importance of strengthening community-based conflict resolution mechanisms,” the GOC stated.

He commended the residents of Bokkos for their commitment to peace and harmonious coexistence, highlighting a noticeable decline in violent incidents in recent months. This progress, he attributed to sustained dialogue, community cooperation, and deliberate conflict mitigation efforts.

While acknowledging these achievements, Gen. Oyinlola expressed concern over emerging threats, including attacks on miners at mining sites and the increasing influx of large numbers of cattle into farming communities.

“Although livestock movement is not unusual, the scale and timing raise legitimate security concerns. These developments have already led to the destruction of farmlands, isolated attacks on individuals, and reprisals against livestock,” he warned.

The Army commander stressed that such incidents pose serious implications for food security, economic stability, and social cohesion, urging early collective action to avert avoidable conflicts as the farming season approaches.

He disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff had approved the distribution of fertilisers to stakeholders on both sides as a non-kinetic intervention to encourage farming activities and promote cooperation.

Gen. Oyinlola called for the strengthening of community-based conflict resolution mechanisms, urging traditional, religious, and community leaders to remain at the forefront of dialogue and mediation.

He also appealed to farming and herding communities to sensitize their members—particularly youths—to avoid provocative actions such as farm destruction, cattle poisoning, and attacks on livestock, which often trigger violence.

Reiterating the neutrality of security agencies, he affirmed that they are deployed to enforce peace, uphold justice, and protect all law-abiding citizens regardless of ethnicity or religion.

The GOC assured residents that Operation Enduring Peace would continue to employ both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, including aggressive clearance of criminal hideouts and increased patrols in flashpoints, in collaboration with other security agencies.

The Executive Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Council, Hon. Amalau Samuel Amalua, said the council had been working closely with traditional rulers, community leaders, and security agencies to foster peace. He disclosed routine security meetings, logistical support for security personnel (such as fuel, motorcycles, and vehicle repairs), and assistance to victims of violence with medical bills and shelter.

Hon. Amalua added that displaced persons from Mushere had resolved to return to their communities to prepare for the upcoming farming season.

The Acting President of the Kulere Traditional Council, HRH Saf Lawrence Amadam Aizat, pledged the commitment of traditional institutions to continued dialogue and mediation, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands. He thanked the military for the fertiliser support.

A women leader, Theresa Sunday, commended the GOC and troops for their steadfastness, especially during the peaceful yuletide period, and urged stakeholders to address criminality objectively while exercising restraint.

Representatives of indigenous communities and Fulani groups acknowledged the peace achieved so far but highlighted some unresolved issues and disturbing trends that could threaten stability if not addressed.

Religious leaders, including Musa Usman Mashat of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Rev. David Amallam of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), jointly called for sustained dialogue, prayers, and community commitment to peace.

In his closing remarks, Major General Oyinlola urged communities to choose peaceful coexistence and proposed establishing a standing multi-stakeholder committee at the local government level to continuously address emerging issues. He also called for increased information sharing on kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The engagement concluded with the distribution of fertilisers to community representatives to support preparations for a peaceful farming season.