GOC 3 Division Stresses Systematic Dialogue and Local Enlightenment as Vital for Peace on the Plateau
By Lawrence Bilal Audu
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Major General AE Abubakar, has highlighted the crucial role of systematic dialogue and enlightenment of locals in achieving lasting peace on the Plateau.
General Abubakar made the remarks During a courtesy visit by the Director General of Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Dr. Julie Sanda, at Headquarters 3 Division, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment in Jos.
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The GOC emphasized the significance of non-kinetic approaches such as engaging key stakeholders, organizing town hall meetings, facilitating dialogues, promoting sporting activities, and enlightening residents in conflict-affected areas. These efforts have proven to be effective in bringing together conflicting communities and promoting peaceful coexistence in the region.
General Abubakar expressed his support for the Plateau Peace Building Agency’s initiative to establish peace desks in troubled areas across the state. Reaffirming the belief that this initiative will improve information flow, enhance coordination, and serve as a valuable asset in community operations, ultimately contributing to sustainable peace efforts on the Plateau.
While reiterating on the robust civil-military cooperation employed by the Nigerian Army which was also part of the military’s non-kinentic measure towards achieving long lasting peace,he revealed that when Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV was launched by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TA Lagbaja NAM, quick impact projects such as rebuilding of schools and medical centres, medical equipment, solar-powered boreholes with water storage facilities were provided and commissioned as part of civil military relations and non kinetic lines of operations. He averred that he was optimistic that the agency under the leadership of Dr Julie G Sanda will be instrumental to enlightening the public on the roles of the military as well as the public and the government in ending the crisis on the Plateau.
In her remarks, the Director General (DG) Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Dr Julie Sanda appreciated the GOC for his laudable achievements and tremendous efforts in ensuring security on the Plateau state. She noted that with security comes development and peace. She reiterated on the need for synergy and collaboration more in the non-kinentic areas such as peace education, gender abuse, dialogue, community engagements and disputes management.
The DG used the opportunity to highlight the non-partisan nature of the agency and its readiness to go into the communities to preach the culture of peaceful coexistence and harmonious living amongst the people as the military engage more in the kinetic approach.
She explained that the agency was set to explore non violent means of settling disputes and conflicts in the communities. She further revealed the agency’s role and hinted on the plan to establish peace desks in all local government areas of the state to ensure representation and contacts at the grassroot levels
Soliciting for increased community security relations, she sought for better engagement with the communities for better understanding on how the security architecture works and how they could better synergise with security agencies.
She appreciated OPSH for the efforts in the implementation of the peace agreement signed in Bassa Local Government.
