Moses Gara, commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), has held a “high-level meeting with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Makurdi, Benue state.
In a statement on Wednesday, Lawal Osabo, acting assistant director of army public relations, 401 special forces brigade/sector 1 OPWS, said the closed-door engagement brought together critical stakeholders, including security agencies and local government authorities.
He added that the discussion addressed persistent security threats such as farmer-herder conflicts, retaliatory attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling in Benue state.
According to Osabo, Gara reaffirmed OPWS’s commitment to restoring order through inclusive dialogue and collaboration.
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He urged MACBAN leaders to support the military’s peace efforts by rejecting lawlessness, promoting coexistence, and promptly reporting threats to security.
“This meeting is a bold and necessary step toward isolating criminal elements, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting peaceful cohabitation among communities. Dialogue must supersede confrontation if we are to achieve enduring stability,” Osabo quoted Gara as saying.
He added that concerns raised during the meeting would be escalated to the state government and relevant national authorities for redress as part of a broader plan to pursue justice and uphold the rule of law.
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Osabo said the engagement underscores a “strategic shift” in civil-military relations aimed at de-escalating tensions, dismantling violent networks, and creating a conducive environment for peace building.
He added that participants were charged to remain vigilant and committed to the resolutions reached while encouraging communities to use lawful means to report grievances instead of resorting to extrajudicial actions.
The outcome of the meeting, he said, signals a new phase of partnership in confronting insecurity.
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