In a decisive move to quell rising tensions, the Commander of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, has issued a stern warning against further violence in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The warning came during a two-day peace summit held from June 3 to 4, 2025, at the brigade headquarters in Jalingo. The meeting brought together leaders of the Fumang and Illela communities, which have been locked in a violent land and boundary dispute that recently led to the destruction of farmlands and injuries to several residents.
General Uwa, addressing the stakeholders, stressed the importance of dialogue over violence and reiterated the military’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region. “Peace is the collective responsibility of all.
“We will leave no stone unturned in securing our communities and ensuring that dialogue, rather than violence, becomes the tool for conflict resolution,” he said.
The peace meeting culminated in the signing of a formal peace accord by representatives of both communities. The agreement outlines commitments to respecting established boundaries, upholding the rule of law, fostering peaceful coexistence, and institutionalizing regular community dialogue to prevent future conflicts.
The Emir of Old Muri, Alhaji Abdullahi B., praised the Army’s initiative, describing the peace effort as “a historic intervention and the first of its kind in the history of Karim-Lamido.”
He pledged the support of traditional and community leaders to enforce the agreement and warned that violators would face legal consequences.
Brigadier General Uwa’s intervention is being widely viewed as a major step toward long-term stability in the area and a model for military-civil cooperation in conflict resolution.