W.M Dangana asks warring Plateau communities to sheathe swords

 

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General W. M. Dangana, has urged Mhagavul and Fulani communities in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State to embrace dialogue and work together to end recurring conflicts in the area.

Dangana made the call on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting with leaders of the two communities at the headquarters of the 3 Division in Jos.

The engagement, which was attended by the chiefs of staff of Headquarters 3 Division and Operation ENDURING PEACE, focused on addressing grievances among the communities and exploring ways to find lasting solutions to the disputes.

According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, Dangana appealed to the stakeholders to set aside animosity, refrain from violence and embrace dialogue as the most effective means of resolving their differences.

The army commander stressed that sustained peace and strong community relations were essential to enabling security agencies and residents to effectively tackle emerging security threats in the area.

He said greater cooperation between the communities would help build trust, improve information sharing and create an atmosphere conducive to peaceful coexistence and development.

Dangana also urged community leaders to engage their people and discourage actions capable of escalating tensions. He further called on them to support security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and stability.

The meeting was part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army and other stakeholders to strengthen peacebuilding initiatives and foster harmonious relations among communities in Mangu and other parts of Plateau State.

Mangu has experienced recurring communal tensions in recent years, making sustained dialogue, reconciliation and confidence-building between affected communities crucial to preventing further violence.

The latest peace initiative comes days after several residents of settlements in Jwak Maitumbi community, also in Mangu LGA, were reportedly feared killed during an attack by suspected militia members.

About 45 residential shelters and large quantities of crops were also reportedly destroyed in the attack, further heightening concerns over security and the need for renewed efforts to restore peace in the area.