By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher G. Musa, has unveiled a strategic rebranding of the long-standing Operation Safe Haven to Operation Enduring Peace, signaling a decisive shift in Nigeria’s security approach to Plateau State and adjoining regions. The move, announced during his operational visit to Jos, underscores the Armed Forces’ renewed commitment to sustainable peace, community reconciliation, and proactive security management.
In an official signed statement, Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, explained that the newly christened Operation Enduring Peace is designed to address persistent security challenges more comprehensively through enhanced inter-agency collaboration, intelligence-driven strategies, and deeper community engagement. Key measures under the new framework include the deployment of additional personnel, bolstering of logistics and operational assets, and prioritization of troops’ welfare to boost effectiveness and morale.
Addressing troops at the 3 Division Headquarters in Jos, General Musa praised their resilience and sacrifices while assuring them of continued support from the Presidency to ensure the mission’s success. He charged them to redouble their efforts and remain steadfast in their determination to restore peace. “It is time to restore enduring peace. The cycle of destruction and displacement must stop. Between now and December, we must decisively combat the menace threatening our communities,” the CDS declared. He further emphasized that the Armed Forces’ goal transcends winning battles on the field, it is ultimately about winning peace that will last.
The inauguration of Operation Enduring Peace is being viewed as a turning point in the country’s security architecture. Unlike previous short-term stabilisation efforts, this operation aims to transform conflict-prone areas into thriving communities where peace is not fleeting but institutionalized. However, the CDS stressed that the success of this vision depends not only on the military but also on collaboration with political leaders, traditional rulers, religious authorities, civil society, and local communities. He urged all stakeholders to take ownership of the process by rejecting violence, promoting reconciliation, and building trust.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigerian Army and Commander of the erstwhile Operation Safe Haven, Major General E.F. Oyinlola, reflected on the successes recorded under the outgoing operation. He noted that Operation Safe Haven had been instrumental in tackling a wide array of security threats that once threatened to overwhelm Plateau State. According to him, the transition to Operation Enduring Peace represents a new phase in which the military will not just react to threats but anticipate and neutralize them before they escalate.
Major General Oyinlola appealed to all segments of society, community leaders, religious institutions, civil society groups, youth leaders, and law-abiding citizens to actively partner with the Armed Forces in confronting security challenges. He stressed that peace cannot be imposed by the military alone but must be nurtured and sustained through inclusive participation and cooperation.
