CDS Rebrands Operation SAFE HAVEN, Launches Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE in North Central Nigeria
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has officially announced the rebranding of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) to Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), signaling a new phase in the military’s efforts to secure lasting stability in North Central Nigeria.
General Musa made the declaration in Jos during the flag-off ceremony of the newly rebranded operation. He explained that while Operation SAFE HAVEN had made significant progress in tackling security challenges and stabilizing communities plagued by recurrent violence, the transition to JTF OPEP was aimed at reflecting a broader mandate, deeper inter-agency cooperation, and a long-term vision of sustainable peace.
“Security challenges demand more than immediate interventions. They require sustainable solutions that integrate military, political, judicial, and community efforts,” the CDS stated. “Operation ENDURING PEACE will place stronger emphasis on intelligence-driven operations, collaboration across agencies, and engagement with communities.”
Read Also:
He urged troops to adopt the new identity with pride, discipline, and renewed vigor in the pursuit of national security.
In his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of JTF OPEP, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, described the rebranding as a “strategic realignment” designed to make operations more proactive and results-oriented. He appealed for stronger partnerships with community leaders, religious groups, civil society organizations, and youth groups to ensure the mission’s success.
The Chief of Defence Operations (CDOPS), Major General EV Onumajuru, also emphasized that JTF OPEP would close operational gaps by strengthening early warning systems and dominating ungoverned spaces in collaboration with local communities.
Highlights of the event included an inspection of the quarter guard, the decoration of Major General Oyinlola with the new JTF OPEP insignia, the hoisting of the operation’s flag, and an address to troops of 3 Division and the Joint Task Force.
The rebranding marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency and stabilization efforts in the North Central region, with the military reaffirming its commitment to securing not only temporary safety but a peace that will endure for generations.