Plateau State, Nigeria – Operation Hakorin Damisa was formally launched by Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), in response to the ongoing herders/farmers violence in Plateau State’s Mangu Local Government Area. Since its inception on July 22, 2023, the operation has significantly improved the region’s state of peace and security, therefore successfully containing the threat to national security.
This development was communicated to journalists in Abuja by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the director of army public relations, in a formal statement.
The Army Chief gave the troops a speech during the flag-off ceremony during which he tasked them with removing all security threats from the area as well as the entire state of Plateau. In order to foster trust and confidence in the ongoing activities, he underlined the significance of maintaining a prompt and timely response to community distress calls as well as offering feedback. General Lagbaja emphasized his dedication to good management, which puts the welfare and wellbeing of employees first.
The COAS also organized a town hall meeting with significant Mangu stakeholders, pushing them to support what he called the “Mangu Peace project” as a group. He made a point of saying that only peaceful coexistence between the populace, the executive branch, and security organizations can bring about long-lasting peace and security. In order to control their children and wards who are causing mayhem and carrying illegal weapons, General Lagbaja urged all parties concerned. He was clear that anyone detected with such weapons was subject to neutralization by the military.
No amount of money is worth a person’s life, the COAS reiterated as he offered condolences to families who lost family members or property during the crisis. He gave the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, who is also in charge of Operation Safe Haven, instructions to work with interested parties to make it easier for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to return to their respective communities, thereby assuring the establishment of a durable peace.
The COAS and the forces’ prompt action in addressing the disturbance was acknowledged by Mr. Markus Artu, the chairman of the Mangu Local Government Council, during the town hall meeting. In Mangu and throughout Plateau State, he expressed the optimism that with coordinated efforts, long-lasting peace and stability would be reached.
At the Town Hall meeting, notable individuals included Major General Robert Sinjen, Chief of Operations (Army), Brigadier General A Garba, Acting Provost Marshal (Army), Brigadier General Bobby Ughiagbe, Acting Chief of Military Intelligence (Army), Miskagham Mwaghavul Mangu, His Royal Highness Da John Hirse, Brigadier General Gakji Shipi (rtd), Special Adviser on Security to the
The Nigerian Army’s efforts to reestablish security and peace in areas troubled by herder/farmer conflicts have advanced with the success of Operation Hakorin Damisa. In order to bring about long-term peace and prosperity for the people of Plateau State, all stakeholders must work together and show a collective commitment.
