The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Maj. Gen. W.M. Dangana, has urged the Mhagavul and Fulani communities in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State to embrace peace and work together to end recurring conflicts in the area.
Gatekeepers News reports that Dangana made the call on Monday during a stakeholders’ engagement with leaders of the two communities at the 3 Division headquarters conference room.
The meeting, attended by the Chiefs of Staff of Headquarters 3 Division and Operation ENDURING PEACE, was convened to address grievances affecting the communities and explore measures to find lasting solutions to lingering disputes, according to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.
The GOC urged stakeholders to put aside animosity, reject violence and embrace dialogue as a means of resolving their differences.
He stressed that sustained peace and community cohesion were essential to enabling security agencies and residents to effectively confront emerging security threats in the area.
According to him, cooperation between the communities would strengthen confidence, improve information sharing and create an environment conducive to peaceful coexistence and development.
Dangana also encouraged community leaders to engage their people and discourage actions capable of escalating tensions, while supporting security agencies in maintaining peace and stability.
The engagement was part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army and other stakeholders to strengthen peacebuilding initiatives and promote harmonious relations among communities in Mangu and other parts of Plateau State.
Mangu has witnessed recurring communal tensions in recent years, making sustained dialogue and confidence-building between affected communities critical to preventing further escalation.
The peace engagement came amid renewed security concerns in the area. On Sunday, several residents of settlements in Jwak Maitumbi community, Mangu LGA, were feared killed after a militia reportedly attacked the community.
According to Zagazola Makama, about 45 residential shelters and large quantities of crops were also destroyed during the attack.
