Taraba’s Tiv, Fulani Seal Peace Deal in Army-Led Pact

By TGnews

In a bold demonstration of non-kinetic military engagement, the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has brokered a landmark peace accord between Tiv and Fulani stakeholders of Gassol Local Government Area (LGA), Taraba State. The move is a decisive intervention in a region long marred by cyclical clashes and deep-rooted distrust.

Held on Monday, 23 June 2025, inside the 6 Brigade Headquarters Conference Room in Jalingo, the dialogue was convened by Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), as part of a wider non-violent strategy to prevent conflict and foster lasting coexistence.

To stem the tide of intercommunal violence that has claimed lives, stunted development, and fuelled ethnic division in Gassol

The high-level peace meeting brought together key community players- traditional leaders, elders, youth representatives, and security officials- under one roof, united by a singular agenda: to stem the tide of intercommunal violence that has claimed lives, stunted development, and fuelled ethnic division in Gassol.

Brigadier General Uwa, in his opening remarks, did not mince words. He condemned all forms of violence and vigilantism, stressing that no individual or group holds the authority to take the law into their hands. “Lasting peace cannot be achieved by vengeance or retaliation,” he said firmly, “but by justice, dialogue, and trust.”

He urged participants to become peace ambassadors and resist the temptation to shield criminal actors within their communities. True development, he maintained, can only thrive where unity and mutual respect are nurtured.

Lasting peace cannot be achieved by vengeance or retaliation, but by justice, dialogue, and trust

The Commander commended the Chairman of Gassol LGA, Hon. Abubakar Usman, for his commitment to peace and community leadership. Usman, who mobilised stakeholders for the meeting, echoed similar sentiments in his response. He applauded the Nigerian Army and praised the resilience and professionalism of troops under the 6 Brigade for their continuous role in stabilising the region.

A significant outcome of the dialogue was the formal signing of a peace accord, in which both the Tiv and Fulani leaders pledged to work collectively with security agencies, share credible intelligence, and uphold the resolutions agreed upon. They also vowed to pursue sustained dialogue and refrain from actions that could reignite hostilities.

Observers say the success of this pact demonstrates the power of non-kinetic military diplomacy in resolving conflicts that are historically complex but not intractable. Rather than waiting for violence to erupt, the 6 Brigade pre-empted tension through dialogue- proving that peace, when deliberately pursued, can indeed be engineered.

This initiative underlines the Nigerian Army’s evolving role in community stabilisation and civil-military relations. With trust-building measures gaining traction, the Army is repositioning itself beyond the battlefield- into the heart of community conflict resolution.

For Taraba State, a region with vast agricultural and social potential, this peace pact is more than a symbolic handshake- it is a turning point. Whether this moment can translate into long-term transformation will depend on consistent commitment, grassroots monitoring, and a shared moral responsibility among the people of Gassol.

But as of now, a hopeful chapter has begun.