In the wake of a series of brutal attacks that have ravaged communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on Monday led a high-level engagement with key stakeholders in a bid to stem the tide of violence and restore lasting peace to the region.
The meeting, held in Bokkos, brought together a diverse group of participants, including senior military commanders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women representatives, and local government officials. The engagement followed a spate of coordinated assaults on villages in the area, which have left scores dead, homes and farmlands destroyed, and hundreds displaced from their ancestral communities.
General Oluyede emphasized the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring the protection of lives and property across the region. He acknowledged the deep pain and trauma suffered by affected communities and reiterated the military’s resolve to work in collaboration with local leaders to identify the root causes of the conflict and implement sustainable security measures.
“This engagement is not just about military operations,” Oluyede said. “It is about listening to the people, understanding their grievances, and building trust between security forces and the communities they serve.”
During the meeting, traditional and religious leaders voiced their concerns over the recurring violence, calling for stronger intelligence sharing, improved response times from security agencies, and the prosecution of those responsible for the attacks. Youth and women leaders also highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, psychological support for victims, and efforts to rebuild destroyed infrastructure.
Local government officials commended the Army Chief’s visit and stressed the importance of continued collaboration between security agencies and local stakeholders to prevent future attacks.
The recent massacre in Bokkos is part of a disturbing pattern of violence in Plateau State, where communal tensions, land disputes, and ethno-religious rivalries have fueled cycles of deadly conflict for years.
As the Nigerian Army increases its presence in the region, General Oluyede assured the community that the military will not relent in its efforts to secure peace, adding, “We must all work together to ensure these tragedies never happen again.”
The stakeholder engagement marks a critical step in a broader effort to stabilize Plateau State and reassure residents of the government’s commitment to their safety.
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