Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with the Nigerian Army to consolidate peace, strengthen security and create an enabling environment for economic growth, investment and sustainable development across the state.

The governor gave the assurance while receiving the outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Nigerian Army; and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Eyitayo Oyinlola, alongside the incoming GOC, Major General Maxwell Dangana, during a courtesy visit at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos.

Mutfwang welcomed Dangana to Plateau State, expressing confidence in his capacity to build on the gains already recorded in the state’s security architecture. He also paid glowing tribute to the outgoing GOC, Oyinlola, for his exemplary leadership and dedicated service during his 18-month tour of duty.

The governor described Oyinlola as a courageous, professional and committed military officer whose leadership played a significant role in confronting security threats and strengthening peace-building efforts across Plateau State.

He noted that through sustained collaboration between the Plateau State government, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, the state has witnessed remarkable improvements in security, renewed investor confidence, increased socio-economic activities and a steady influx of visitors despite isolated security incidents.

The governor expressed confidence that Dangana would consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, deepen military-community relations and strengthen coordinated security operations aimed at protecting lives, property and national sovereignty.

In his farewell remarks, Oyinlola, expressed profound appreciation to Mutfwang for the unwavering support his administration provided throughout his tenure.

“Anytime I called on His Excellency, he was always available to support us—logistically, operationally, morally and even spiritually. We know the Plateau we met 18 months ago and the Plateau we are leaving today. Although there were challenges, there were far more successes than setbacks, and that was possible because of the governor’s consistent support,” he said.

Introducing his successor, Oyinlola described Dangana as a seasoned, highly experienced and accomplished military officer with the competence and leadership qualities required to sustain ongoing security operations.

He appealed to Mutfwang, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, community leaders and the people of Plateau State to extend the same cooperation and goodwill accorded him to the new GOC, expressing confidence that he would consolidate on existing gains and record even greater successes.

Responding, Dangana expressed gratitude to Mutfwang, the government and people of Plateau State for the warm reception, pledging to sustain the excellent collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the state government.

Meanwhile, gunmen on Thursday killed eight cattle and injured several others in a fresh attack in Yarwe Village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Council of Plateau State.

The State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, has condemned the incident, calling on security forces to investigate the attack.

The herding community accused members of the Berom community of killing the cattle. But the leadership of Berom denied the allegation, describing it as an attempt to launch an attack against their members.

Babayo explained that the gunmen stormed the scene of the incident while herders were tending to their cattle, adding that the herders escaped when the perpetrators started shooting sporadically.

MACBAN, however, appealed to members of the Fulani community to remain calm, exercise restraint, and avoid taking the law into their own hands, while allowing the relevant authorities to carry out their responsibilities.

Denying involvement in the killing of the cattle, the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) under the leadership of Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, classified the allegation as premature.

In a statement, the spokesperson of the group, Rwang Tengwong, said: “BYM wishes to state unequivocally that the allegation is premature, speculative and unsupported by any credible investigation. It is regrettable that MACBAN has once again rushed to assign blame to the Berom people without allowing security agencies to establish the facts. Such reckless accusations have, in the past, heightened tensions and preceded violent attacks on innocent indigenous communities.”