The Nigerian Army has launched an urgent security operation in Plateau State following a fresh wave of terrorist attacks and rising violence across several communities.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the immediate deployment of additional combat troops to restore order and prevent further bloodshed.
The deployment was confirmed in a statement issued by Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, media information officer of the joint task force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, and shared on the army’s official X platform.
According to the statement, the newly deployed soldiers are drawn from the COAS Intervention Battalion of the Special Forces and have already arrived in the state to strengthen ongoing security efforts.
Oteh said the arrival of the troops is expected to significantly boost operations against criminal groups and violent elements terrorising local communities. He described their presence as a major step toward stabilising the region and curbing persistent attacks.
While receiving the troops at the Headquarters of 3 Division in Jos, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, represented by Brigadier General Senlong Sule, urged the soldiers to carry out their mission with determination and professionalism. He told them to remain focused and fearless in confronting the attackers, stressing that the safety of civilians must remain a top priority.
The statement quoted the commander as appreciating the Chief of Army Staff for his swift and proactive response, particularly for providing critical logistics, combat equipment, and operational support to ensure the troops succeed in their assignment.
He also appealed to residents not to panic over the heavy military presence and movement of armoured vehicles, assuring them that the operation is aimed solely at restoring peace.
Oteh added that community members were encouraged to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence that could help locate criminal hideouts and prevent planned attacks. According to him, cooperation from locals remains vital to achieving lasting security across the state.
Plateau State has endured decades of violent conflicts, driven by a mix of herder-farmer clashes, communal disputes, land ownership struggles, and ethno-religious tensions. These recurring crises have claimed thousands of lives and displaced entire communities, with many residents forced to abandon their homes and farmlands.
In one of the latest incidents in January, armed attackers stormed a tin mining site in Gakok, Kuru community, Jos South LGA, killing seven young men and injuring several others. The attack sparked outrage and renewed calls for stronger security intervention.
Data previously released by the Plateau State fact-finding committee on killings revealed the scale of the crisis. The committee’s chairman, Nicholas Rogers, disclosed that no fewer than 11,749 people were killed in violent attacks across the state between 2001 and 2025, underscoring the deep-rooted nature of the conflict.
