CDS Musa Launches Operation Enduring Peace, Tasks Troops to ‘Win Peace, Not Just War’
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has officially unveiled Operation Enduring Peace to replace Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State, signalling a strategic shift in the Nigerian military’s approach to peace enforcement in the region.
Speaking to troops during the inauguration in Jos on Friday, General Musa said the new operation represents a decisive move from short-term security interventions to a sustainable framework for lasting 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 ultimate goal is to win peace, not just war,” CDS declared.
General Musa commended the sacrifices of personnel serving in Plateau and neighbouring states, assuring them that their welfare remains a top priority for the Armed Forces.
He noted that the Presidency has provided robust support for the mission, with additional resources, logistics, and reinforcements being deployed to strengthen operations on the ground.
As part of the transition, Operation Enduring Peace will emphasize inter-agency collaboration, intelligence-driven security strategies, and community engagement. Troops are expected not only to counter threats but also to anticipate and neutralize them before they manifest.
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The General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of the former Operation Safe Haven, Major General E.F. Oyinlola, described the new phase as proactive and preventive.
“Operation Safe Haven has served as a formidable instrument in addressing the myriads of security challenges in Plateau. With this transformation, we are moving beyond reaction—we will anticipate and strike at threats before they destabilize our communities,” he said.
Both commanders stressed that the success of the operation will depend heavily on collaboration with stakeholders. The CDS called on political leaders, traditional rulers, religious authorities, and civil society to reject violence and embrace reconciliation.
“We cannot do it alone,” he said. “Lasting peace requires the partnership of every law-abiding citizen. Communities must take ownership of their security and work with us to build trust.”
The Armed Forces underscored that the launch of Operation Enduring Peace marks not just a change in name but the beginning of a new era of security management aimed at transforming conflict-prone areas into peaceful and prosperous communities.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, in a statement added that the initiative is part of the military’s broader mission to safeguard lives and property across Nigeria while adapting to evolving threats.
By PRNigeria
