In response to the recent wave of violent attacks that have left several communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State devastated, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on Monday, led a high-level engagement with critical stakeholders aimed at restoring peace and security to the region.
The stakeholder engagement, held in Bokkos on April 7, brought together military commanders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women representatives, and local government officials. The meeting came in the aftermath of coordinated attacks on multiple villages, which resulted in numerous casualties, destruction of property, and mass displacement of residents.
Speaking at the forum, the Chief of Army Staff emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach to resolving the crisis, noting that the use of military force alone would not suffice.
“We must recognize that some of the root causes of these conflicts require political solutions,” Lt Gen Oluyede stated. “While we are committed to boosting security presence with more personnel and resources, we must also address the underlying issues driving this violence.”
The Army Chief disclosed plans to meet with Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, to chart a political and strategic course for long-term peace in the area.
He acknowledged the need for more troops and logistical support, including motorcycles and vehicles to navigate the difficult terrain of Bokkos and surrounding areas. “Even if the entire Nigerian Army is deployed here, we will achieve little unless the root causes are addressed,” he warned.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General EF Oyinlola, condemned the recent violence and reiterated the military’s resolve to hold perpetrators accountable.
“Any further attacks on innocent civilians will be met with the full force of the law,” he warned. “We will not allow criminal elements to destabilize our communities.”
He stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through the collective efforts of all stakeholders, urging leaders to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and forgiveness. “History has shown that even the most protracted conflicts can be resolved through dialogue and compromise. Violence only begets more violence,” he said.
Bokkos Local Government Chairman, Hon. Samuel Amalau, provided a harrowing account of the recent attacks, which he said began early Wednesday morning and spread across at least seven communities. He described how armed assailants launched simultaneous assaults, killing civilians, burning homes, and looting properties in broad daylight.
“Children were macheted, women were killed, and houses set ablaze as people went about their normal business,” Amalau recounted. He appealed for more security personnel, vehicles, and motorcycles to enhance rapid response, especially given the vast and scattered nature of communities in Bokkos.
He also revealed that over 1,700 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have taken refuge within the town, with others scattered across other communities, and neighboring Nasarawa State, calling for urgent support and protection for the IDPs.
The engagement concluded with the Chief of Army Staff reaffirming his commitment to peace and assuring that all recommendations would be taken seriously in collaboration with the state government. He also visited the 322 Nigerian Army Artillery Regiment in Shendam to assess troop welfare.
The meeting marks a crucial step in ongoing efforts to restore calm to Plateau’s troubled communities, as calls for justice, reconciliation, and sustained peace continue to grow louder.
Welcome to Jos Ghetto Stories — a new Jos Events series created to tell the stories that are often overlooked, but should never be forgotten.
From the narrow streets of Gangare, Nasarawa, Angwan Rogo, Jenta-Adamu, Congo-Russia, Tudun Wada, Katako, Dadin Kowa, Bukuru and other communities across Jos, there are children growing up surrounded by challenges many of us may never fully understand.
Some wake up without knowing where their next meal will come from.
Some go to school with torn shoes.
Some live in crowded homes, struggle to afford basic needs, or watch their parents battle every day just to keep the family going.
And some are already beginning to believe that because they were born into hardship, hardship is all life has to offer them.
But we are here to tell them something different.
YOU CAN STILL BECOME GREAT.
Your address does not determine your destiny.
The street you grew up on does not decide the height you can reach.
Poverty may be part of your story, but it does not have to be the final chapter.
Look at Jos.
This city has produced and nurtured people who have gone on to make their mark far beyond the streets where their journeys began.
John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa went from Jos to becoming aome of Nigeria’s most recognisable footballers, they all grew up from the Ghetto streets of Jos and made it in life through football to the point of representing Nigeria at the highest level.
Jeremiah Gyang, M.I Abaga and Ice Prince carried the sound and creativity of Jos into the Nigerian music industry and beyond.
P-Square and 2Baba are among the major names whose stories are connected to Jos.
Saint Obi,Dayo Okeniyi took their journey from Jos into international acting, while filmmakers Dimbo Atiya and Kenneth Gyang, have used film to tell stories that travel far beyond home.
And there are many more whose names may not yet be famous—but whose stories prove that greatness can rise from ordinary beginnings. 
So when we walk through the streets of Jos and meet these children, we are not looking at “ghetto children.”
We are looking at future doctors, engineers, footballers, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, creatives and nation builders.
We are looking at potential.
We are looking at dreams waiting for an opportunity.
Because sometimes, all a child needs is somebody to look them in the eyes and say:
“I believe in you.”
That is what Jos Ghetto Stories is about.
We will tell the stories of the streets.
We will show the struggles.
We will celebrate the talent.
We will listen to the dreams.
And most importantly, we will remind every young person watching that you can become the best version of yourself, regardless of where you started.
Your parents may not have everything.
Your environment may not be perfect.
You may not have the opportunities others have.
But never allow your circumstances to convince you that you cannot become somebody.
The world may see a child from the slum.
We see a future star.
The world may see a difficult beginning.
We see a story waiting to become extraordinary.
This is Jos Ghetto Stories.
Stories from the streets.
Stories of struggle.
Stories of hope.
Stories of talent.
Stories of resilience.
Stories of people who refuse to let their circumstances define them.
Because from the streets of Jos, greatness can rise.
And perhaps, the next great story is the child standing beside you.
FC Robo Queens proprietor Emmanuel Osahon has called for patience with interim Super Falcons head coach Augustine Eguavoen, insisting the experienced tactician needs sufficient time to impose his ideas as Nigeria begins its qualification campaign for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Eguavoen’s first competitive assignment with the women’s national team comes on Friday when the Super Falcons face Comoros in the first leg of their second-round Olympic qualifier at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
Osahon, who previously backed the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to appoint Eguavoen, believes expectations must be balanced with the reality that the coach has only had a short period to work with his players.
He warned against judging the new technical arrangement solely on immediate performances, stressing that implementing a fresh philosophy and developing understanding within the squad requires time.
Eguavoen was appointed on an interim basis in September and is assisted by Christopher Danjuma, Ayisat Yusuf and Olatunji Baruwa.
His preparations have also been complicated by player availability. Twenty-one players were in camp by Tuesday, while Asisat Oshoala and Ashleigh Plumptre were among those unavailable for the tie.
Oluwatosin Demehin and Flourish Sabastine were also ruled out, while youngsters Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Favour Nkwocha were released to the Flamingos.
Despite those challenges, Nigeria will be expected to overcome Comoros, who reached the second round following an extraordinary 30-0 aggregate victory over Sudan. Both legs will be staged in Ikenne on October 9 and 13 because Comoros do not have a CAF-approved venue.
The Super Falcons face a lengthy road to Los Angeles, with Nigeria needing to negotiate four knockout rounds to secure one of Africa’s two Olympic tickets. Victory over Comoros would set up a third-round meeting with either Morocco or DR Congo.
For Osahon, therefore, the immediate objective is qualification, but the bigger picture is allowing Eguavoen to build.
His message ahead of Friday is simple: demand results from the Super Falcons, but give their new coach enough time to create the team capable of delivering them consistently.