Army Vows to Flush Out Criminals from Plateau Hideouts
The Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning to criminal elements operating in Plateau State, pledging to intensify operations against their hideouts and forestall any breakdown of law and order as the critical farming season commences.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3rd Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, made the declaration on Thursday during a strategic security meeting with leaders from Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
He emphasized that the military would combine forceful clearance operations with community-focused initiatives to protect lives, properties, and livelihoods in the region.
Major General Oyinlola stated that Operation Enduring Peace would accelerate the clearance of criminal elements, maintain heightened patrols in flashpoints, and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies across the state.
He specifically highlighted emerging threats, including attacks on miners and an influx of cattle into farming areas, as early warning signs that demand urgent, collective action.
The GOC warned that the military would not tolerate a return to violence in the area. He stressed that they cannot allow Barkin Ladi to relapse into avoidable conflict, especially now that the farming season is commencing, a period vital to the livelihoods of countless families.
To promote peaceful farming and reduce tensions, he announced that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has directed the distribution of fertilizers to farmers and herders as part of non-kinetic measures.
Commending the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for deploying an elite Special Forces unit to reinforce ongoing operations, Oyinlola urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community heads to play their part.
He called on them to strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms, educate youths against provocative actions, and develop a community-driven code of conduct.
The Army chief also appealed to residents to report suspicious activities promptly, reiterating that troops are deployed to protect all law-abiding citizens regardless of ethnicity or religion.
