On Monday, June 23, the Nigerian Army took a major step toward defusing communal tension in Gassol Local Government Area, Taraba State, by convening a peace talk between Fulani and Tiv community leaders. The event took place at the 6 Brigade Headquarters in Jalingo under the leadership of Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commander of 6 Brigade/Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS). His aim: to apply the army’s non-kinetic approach—dialogue-based conflict resolution—to replace past cycles of violence.

Tensions Fuel Calls for Constructive Dialogue

Gassol’s Fulani and Tiv communities have endured recurring confrontations rooted in land ownership, grazing routes, and traditional authority. In December 2016, clashes in Sabon Gidan, Dan Anacha community claimed at least 18 lives, with victims on both sides reported lost. Similar violence in 2021 in Gassol killed 11 and displaced many more . Humanitarian reports confirmed that these confrontations occasionally escalate into mass attacks that force entire villages to become ghost towns.

Key Stakeholders Unite

General Uwa hosted a wide range of participants: community elders, traditional rulers, the Chairman of Gassol LGA Hon. Abubakar Usman, security officers, and representatives of both ethnic groups. He urged all parties to abandon vigilantism and allow state institutions to serve as arbiters of justice.

“No society can thrive in the absence of peace,” he asserted. “Security, economic growth, and prosperity depend on our unity and mutual respect.”

Uwa commended Chairman Usman for mobilizing local actors and encouraged them to continue building trust, exchange community intelligence, and ensure that criminals have no safe space.

Peace Accord: Communication and Cooperation

Following lengthy discussions, both Fulani and Tiv delegates pledged to maintain open dialogue, refrain from shielding perpetrators of violence, and cooperate with security agencies to preempt conflicts. Their signature under the accord formalized these commitments—a gesture they hope will yield long-term peace in Gassol.

Chairman Usman Hails Accord

Chairman Abubakar Usman lauded the army’s intervention, calling it pivotal for stabilizing Gassol. He framed the accord as a strategic shift toward healing and constructive interethnic engagement. The agreement, he said, signals a renewed optimism that communal relations can turn a new page.

“Non-Kinetic” Strategy: Beyond Force

The army’s “non-kinetic” method emphasizes negotiation, community engagement, and trust-building rather than brute force. It aligns with global best practices in conflict resolution, shifting the military’s role from suppressing violence to cultivating peace. After the formal signing, participants committed to grassroots relationship-building initiatives—such as youth exchanges, joint farming efforts, and periodic community roundtables.

Local Peace Efforts and Historic Challenges

Previous peace efforts, like the 2014 agreement in Kwararafa (then Dan-Anacha), fell apart amid renewed violence. In 2016, killings in Korum, Orawua, and Gidan Bature underlined the urgency of stronger, sustained interventions. The Army’s new approach signifies the most proactive community-level initiative in recent years.

Broader Taraba: A History of Communal Strife

Taraba State’s challenges extend beyond Gassol. In 2018, herdsmen reportedly killed at least 50 people in Adamawa and Taraba communities. Rivalries involving Jukun, Tiv, and other groups in Wukari and Kurmi LGAs have flared over land rights and traditional authority, costing thousands of lives over decades. In the 1990s, conflict in Wukari alone claimed roughly 5,000 lives .

Complex Dynamics Demand Multifaceted Solutions

These disputes intersect ethnicity, grazing, religion, and politics, with grazing encroachment and dwindling arable land serving as root drivers . Environmental pressures have pushed herders into farming zones, exacerbating tensions. Policies banning open grazing in Southern states met resistance, and critics warn that enforcement without viable alternatives could spur militia formation.

Security Implications and Urgency

Taraba’s security agencies face increasing pressure to patrol vast rural areas amid worsening banditry, kidnapping, and communal attacks. Military analysts argue that enforcing peace through boots alone cannot address the deep-rooted causes of conflict. General Uwa’s shift to dialogue reflects this insight and the need to build community trust.

Next Steps: Sustaining the Momentum

Observers recommend several follow-up actions:

• Joint community patrols overseen by Fulani and Tiv stakeholders alongside security personnel.

• Rapid-response committees to investigate disputes before they escalate.

• Cultural exchange programs to cultivate mutual appreciation.

• Legal land reform to clarify grazing and farm boundaries.

• NGO involvement in grassroots mediation and socioeconomic development.

A Critical Juncture for Gassol

The accord marks a rare, positive moment in a strife-stricken community. Produced under military stewardship, it now hinges on enforcement and grassroots uptake. Challenges loom: traditional distrust, slow legal reform, poor infrastructure, and weak social services could stall progress.

Conclusion: Towards Enduring Peace

By convening this peace dialogue, the Nigerian Army has embraced a forward-thinking approach to resolving communal conflict. If Gassol’s villages uphold their pledges—maintaining communication, rejecting violence, and cooperating with security forces—they could pioneer a model for other conflict areas in Taraba and Nigeria.

Still, this accord remains fragile. For Gassol to flourish, stakeholders must embed these commitments in local governance, legal frameworks, and development policies. Only by weaving peace into living institutions—and not just signing documents—can communities move from fragile truce to lasting harmony.