A cross section of stakeholders at the emergency meeting, held in Jos on Thursday,
By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
Following the killing of over eight persons and the burning of several homes in Wereng Camp, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) and General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General AE Oyinlola, has met with critical stakeholders in Riyom and Jos South, urging restraint and dialogue to prevent further violence.
The emergency meeting, held in Jos on Thursday, came less than 24 hours after the attack.
According to reports, gunmen invaded Wereng Camp around 9:00 p.m., shooting sporadically, burning homes, and looting food items in an assault that lasted over two hours. Most of the nine victims were said to be children and the elderly, while several others were injured.
The Commander warned that continued violence and disruptions to farming activities would have dire consequences for food security and peace in the state.
“This gathering is not just another meeting but it is a strategic necessity in our collective journey towards sustainable peace, security and development in Riyom and Jos South… We have observed a decline in violent incidents in both LGAs and adjoining settlements.
” This was however shattered by events of the past few days resulting in the loss of human lives, cattle rustling and outright theft. OPSH will ensure all perpetrators are brought to book,” he stated.
He said issues such as farm destruction, cattle rustling, and theft continue to fuel tensions between farmers and herders. He stressed the enforcement of the ban on night and underage grazing.
“We cannot afford to allow this destruction of farmlands and cattle rustling continue, thereby creating tension in the general area… Therefore, any disruption of farming activities now will have dire consequences for the rest of the year and beyond.”
Major General Oyinlola also advocated for community-based conflict resolution and a locally-enforced code of conduct to guide both farming and herding communities. He reaffirmed the neutrality of security agencies and called for residents’ cooperation.
“I therefore urge every community, every leader and all stakeholders to embrace dialogue. Let us talk to one another rather than take up arms against each other… No matter how genuine our grievances may be, violence is not the answer.”
“Security agencies are not deployed to take sides but to enforce peace, uphold justice and to protect every law-abiding citizen irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation… We depend on you for timely information and your cooperation.” He emphasized.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Special Adviser on Community Relations, Rt. Hon. Michael Dapianlong, commended the military’s peace efforts and called on citizens to take greater responsibility in curbing lawlessness. He noted that recurring crises such as crop destruction, cattle rustling, and illegal mining are worsened by a breakdown in community order.
He urged traditional and youth leaders to act as peace educators, warning that without local ownership, security interventions alone will not succeed.
The meeting ended with a renewed call for stakeholders to return to their communities and spread the message of peace, as OPSH pledged to intensify both kinetic and non-kinetic operations in affected areas.
