Why Nigeria’s Army Chief renamed taskforce under Maj-Gen Oyinlola

Nigeria

In 2025, precisely August 29, history recorded that the taskforce Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) established to restore peace in Nigeria’s Plateau State, over 2 decades ago or more, was renamed Operation Enduring Peace (OEP), by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa.

The renaming came under the tireless efforts of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Safe Haven, now Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, to ensure lasting peace in the general area under his command.

The move is to stir up and double the efforts of troops led by Gen. Oyinlola who has worked under the most difficult terrain in the troubled areas of Plateau, Southern Kaduna and some parts of Plateau State.

The name, according to our correspondent, is long overdue for a change since the communal crisis in the region has endured for more than two decades.

Hitting the ground running when assumed office in 2023, Oyinlola employed strategic meetings among stakeholders, deployed a stick and carrot approach in dealing with the situation. No wonder minimal fracas were recorded in the past several months.

“I commend  the achievements of Operation Safe Haven since its inception. It has restored relative stability to Plateau, Bauchi, and parts of Kaduna State.

“Through the dedication, sacrifice and professionalism of troops, working in synergy with other security agencies and the cooperation of well-meaning citizens, the operation has recorded tremendous successes. We were able to achieve relative stability, curtail large-scale violence and create an environment in which dialogue, reconciliation and socio-economic activities could thrive”, Oyinlola said.

The rebranding of the Operation is coming on the hills when the defence headquarters has perfected moves to consolidate on the successes achieved by the GOC, hence a dire need for name change.

However, speaking in Jos during the rebranding ceremony, General Musa stressed that the military’s mandate is to restore lasting peace and protect citizens, not oppress them,

“You are here to protect the communities and their properties, not to trample on their rights. Any soldier found abusing civilians will face court-martial,” the CDS declared.

He cautioned against what he described as half-measures in reporting encounters with armed groups. “I don’t want to hear that criminals attacked and we repelled them. There is nothing like repel. Any criminal that comes out to attack should not go back to tell the story. Every bush, every hideout where these criminals operate must be combed, and they must be neutralized,” he said.

He tasked the troops with ensuring the safe return of internally displaced persons to their communities while warning against aiding or shielding criminals. He also pledged accountability, noting that every commander would be held responsible for lapses.

“We have until December to make a difference. Mr President is watching what we are doing. Our task is not only to win the war but to win the peace. The people must feel secure day and night.

“I have seen situations where some people said they don’t want the military in their community, such people are just giving the community a bad impression to get the military out, so that the criminals will overrun the people. We should show them that we are committed to our tasks and responsibility, and we must do it day and night. I’m going to hold every commander responsible for any failure,” he said.

On the new operational strategy, the CDS announced that troops will withdraw from towns to focus on rural areas and criminal hideouts, while police officers will take over checkpoints. He said mobile patrols will be intensified to ensure wider coverage.