Troops Warn Against Cattle Theft and Farmland Destruction in Plateau

By Golok Nanmwa, JOS

The military Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, has warned residents of five local government areas in Plateau State against cattle rustling and the destruction of farmlands during the farming season, stating that anyone found fomenting trouble will be dealt with decisively.

The warning was issued by Major General Folusho Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, during a stakeholders’ engagement held in Shendam Local Government Area.

The meeting brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, women and youth representatives from Shendam, Mikang, Langtang North, Langtang South and Qua’an-Pan LGAs.

Speaking through the Chief of Staff of Operation Enduring Peace, Brigadier General Senlong Sule, the GOC said the military would not tolerate any loss of lives, cattle rustling or destruction of farmlands resulting from farmer‑herder clashes.

He emphasized that lawful channels already exist for resolving disputes between farmers and herders, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands.

“During this farming season, no life should be lost because of rustled cattle, nor should any farmland be destroyed by hoodlums,” he warned. “If anyone is caught in this act, we will not hesitate to deal with the person decisively… We cannot continue to tolerate violence resulting in the loss of lives as a result of farmer‑herder conflict.”

The stakeholders’ engagement was themed “Deepening Stakeholders Collaboration Towards Consolidating On The Security Gains For The Farming Season.”

The GOC added that the command is closely monitoring security developments across the joint operations area and will respond swiftly to early warning signs of unrest.

He said collective action by security agencies and local communities remains critical to sustaining the relative peace currently enjoyed in the area.

Lieutenant Colonel Rasheed Braimoh, Commander of Sector 9 of Operation Enduring Peace, also spoke, noting that peace and security are essential for agricultural productivity and national development.

A statement signed by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, media information officer of Operation Enduring Peace, reported that traditional rulers, women and youth leaders at the meeting pledged to support efforts aimed at maintaining peaceful coexistence in their communities.

Executive Chairman of Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area, Christopher Wallat, commended the military for its timely intervention, saying the engagement would help prevent troublemakers from disrupting peace as farming activities commence.

As part of its non‑kinetic civil‑military cooperation efforts, Operation Enduring Peace distributed fertilisers to farmers across the five local government areas to boost agricultural activities during the season.

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