OPEP brokers N1m settlement over farm destruction in Jos South
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have brokered an amicable settlement between farmers and cattle owners following a reported case of farmland destruction at Gero Gyel District in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident, which was reported on Sept. 28, involved six cattle intercepted while grazing on the affected farmland.
According to a situation report obtained by Zagazola, troops of Sector 6, OPEP, invited the parties for dialogue at about 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 in an effort to resolve the dispute peacefully.
The engagement resulted in an agreement that the cattle be released to their owner, Mr Yusuf Abubakar, through the Wakilin Ardo, Abdullahi Shuaibu.
The release followed an agreement on compensation for the reported farm damage, which was assessed at N1 million.
The report said N750,000 was paid to the representative of the farmers, Mr Ilya Solomon, while the remaining N250,000 was agreed to be paid on or before Oct. 12, 2026.
The intervention is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies and community stakeholders in Plateau State to prevent disputes involving farmers and herders from escalating into wider communal violence.
Zagazola understands that such mediation remains critical to maintaining peace and strengthening community confidence in security operations across the OPEP area of responsibility.
