Operation SAFE HAVEN, which has played an important role in managing and resolving conflicts, has received praise from the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution. On June 8, 2023, this compliment was given during a courtesy visit to the OPSH headquarters in Jos.
In the course of the tour, Mr. Adejo Haruna, the Director of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution’s Zonal Office, expressed his appreciation for the aggressive steps taken by OPSH to address the crises in Plateau State. He stressed that the institute is a federal government organization committed to resolving disputes and fostering peace in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mr. Adejo focused on the institute’s expanded use of non-kinetic strategies, research, interventions, and capacity building in crisis-affected areas. In order to effectively address and prevent recurrent conflicts in Plateau State, he emphasized the importance of both non-kinetic and kinetic measures.
In addition to presenting a report on the dynamics of conflict in Nigeria, particularly on the Plateau, and outlining a course of action, the Zonal Head emphasized the necessity of ongoing cooperation between the institute and OPSH to achieve effective peace and conflict resolution in troubled regions.
In response, Major=General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of OPSH, thanked the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution for helping the security agencies handle conflicts, particularly the recurrent farmer/herder crisis on the Plateau. He exhorted the populace to band together in opposition to peacebreakers and requested that they continue to assist the security services as they combat insecurity.
General Ibrahim gave the assurance that OPSH would continue to work with pertinent organizations and stakeholders, putting new plans into place to improve the security of people and property in various communities and put a stop to conflicts not only on the Plateau but also throughout the entire nation. He underlined that while conflict-free societies could be aspirational, being able to settle disputes quickly is essential for a functioning community.
A report on the mechanics of conflict in Nigeria, a memento, and a group portrait were presented as the visit came to a close. This interaction and visit between the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and OPSH further emphasize the coordinated efforts being made to resolve disputes, advance peace, and guarantee the safety and welfare of citizens in Plateau State and elsewhere.