₦airaland Forum

By Kingsley Chukwuka

The Nigerian Army has launched a direct agricultural intervention in Plateau State, distributing fertilizer to farmers across the Wase, Kanke, and Kanam Local Government Areas to boost food security and strengthen ties with host communities.

​The initiative, conducted under the banner of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), saw hundreds of farmers gather at the Wase Township Stadium to receive essential inputs ahead of the 2026 farming season.

This outreach marks a shift toward non-kinetic military strategies, where the focus moves beyond traditional combat to supporting the primary livelihoods of the region’s inhabitants.

​Colonel Olugbenga Peter Osuntuyi, Commander of Sector 2 Joint Task Force OPEP, represented the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, at the event.

Addressing the crowd, Colonel Osuntuyi explained that the military leadership views economic stability as a cornerstone of lasting peace.

He noted that by directly supporting the agricultural sector, the Army aims to reduce communal tensions and foster a collaborative environment where civilians and security forces work in tandem.

​The Emir of Wase, attending the ceremony alongside other traditional authorities, offered high praise for the proactive gesture.

The Emir pledged the unwavering support of his traditional council to the military’s peace-building efforts and called on residents to remain vigilant, urging them to report suspicious activities and reject violence to protect the region’s recent stability gains.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Wase LG Chairman, Hajiya Binta, who represented his boss, Hon. Hamisu Anani, emphasized the importance of synergy between local government structures and the armed forces to achieve developmental goals.

However, ​beneficiaries expressed visible relief during the on-the-spot distribution process, noting that the timely arrival of the fertilizer is critical for their upcoming crop yields, describing the Army’s welfare as a significant morale booster. 

As the 2026 planting season begins, the task force maintains that farmers safety remains a top priority.