In a determined effort to restore lasting peace in Plateau State, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, held a crucial town hall meeting with community leaders and key stakeholders in Bokkos Local Government Area.
During the engagement, held in Bokkos on [insert specific date if available], General Oluyede emphasized the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence among the people, stressing that development and progress are impossible without peace and harmony. He urged the residents to close ranks, embrace one another, and collaborate with security forces to proactively identify and eliminate threats before they escalate.
“The military alone cannot tackle insecurity without the cooperation and support of the local population,” the COAS noted. He reassured the community that those responsible for the recent attacks on innocent civilians would be apprehended and brought to justice.
Also speaking at the event, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, issued a strong warning against further acts of violence. He declared that any future attacks, destruction of property, or threats to peace would be met with decisive action by security forces.
General Oyinlola emphasized that sustainable peace is a shared responsibility and called on all stakeholders—including religious leaders, traditional rulers, youth, and women leaders—to play active roles in countering incitement and promoting unity. “Violence has never solved any problem,” he stated. “It only breeds more pain and division.”
Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Honourable Amalau Samuel, expressed gratitude to the COAS for his timely visit and proactive engagement with the community during a critical period. He also commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their continued efforts in curbing the wave of violence in the region.
Voices from across the community—including representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Bokkos Youth Forum, and Women’s Associations—also pledged their support for peace-building initiatives. They expressed a shared commitment to working together for the restoration of peace and stability in the area.
