By Nkechi Eze
In a renewed push to promote peaceful coexistence and avert further conflict in Taraba State, the Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, on Monday, June 23, 2025, hosted a high-level peace dialogue between Tiv and Fulani stakeholders from Gassol Local Government Area (LGA).
According to a statement signed by Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations for 6 Brigade, the peace meeting, held at the 6 Brigade Headquarters Conference Room in Jalingo, was convened in response to rising tensions and persistent communal disputes between the two ethnic groups in Gassol.
Brigadier General Uwa, in his address, strongly condemned the recurring cycle of violence and issued a stern warning against individuals or groups taking the law into their own hands. He reminded stakeholders that justice must be pursued within the confines of the law and emphasized that sustainable development, security, and prosperity are only achievable through unity and mutual respect.
“No one has the constitutional mandate to enforce justice outside the bounds of the law,” the Commander stressed, urging the communities to become ambassadors of peace and development within their domains.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Gassol LGA Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Usman, for his proactive leadership and dedication to the peace process, commending his mobilization of community members for the crucial dialogue.
The meeting brought together traditional leaders, elders, and other critical stakeholders from both Tiv and Fulani communities. At the end of deliberations, both sides agreed to a number of resolutions, including a collective commitment to peace, ongoing dialogue, and the rejection of harboring criminal elements. They also pledged to cooperate fully with security agencies by providing timely intelligence and acting swiftly to prevent any resurgence of violence.
Hon. Abubakar Usman, speaking on behalf of the Gassol LGA, applauded the 6 Brigade Commander for initiating the dialogue and acknowledged the Nigerian Army’s sustained efforts in safeguarding lives and property in the area. He described the soldiers’ role as pivotal in fostering calm and stability amid challenging conditions.
The peace dialogue concluded with the signing of a formal peace pact by all attendees, signaling a renewed determination by all parties to implement the resolutions reached and uphold the spirit of peaceful coexistence.
The 6 Brigade’s engagement highlights the critical role of non-kinetic approaches in conflict resolution and underscores the Nigerian Army’s broader commitment to fostering durable peace and social cohesion across Taraba State.
