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Army Holds Stakeholders’ Meeting in Riyom, Jos South to Consolidate Peace, Prepare Communities for Farming Season
The General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General EF Oyinlola, on Thursday led a decentralised stakeholders’ engagement aimed at sustaining recent security gains and preparing communities for the upcoming farming season.
The meeting, hosted by Sector 6 Commander of the Joint Task Force, Colonel PJ Malgwi, was held at the Conference Hall of Yelwa Club and brought together representatives of local communities, traditional leaders, security agencies, as well as Fulani and farming groups from Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas.
In his remarks, Oyinlola described the engagement as part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable peace and development across communities within the military’s operational area. He commended residents for cooperating with security agencies, noting that recent months had recorded a decline in violent incidents due to dialogue, conflict resolution initiatives, and improved community collaboration.
Despite the progress, the GOC warned of emerging threats capable of reversing the gains if not addressed early. He identified illegal mining, encroachment on farmlands, proliferation of locally fabricated weapons, cattle rustling, and reprisal attacks as key risks requiring collective vigilance.
He stressed that the approaching farming season was critical to livelihoods and warned that disruptions to agricultural activities could trigger wider economic consequences. Oyinlola disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff had approved the distribution of non-kinetic support, including fertilizers, to encourage farming and reinforce stability efforts.
The army commander urged traditional rulers, youth groups, and community stakeholders to promote peaceful coexistence and avoid actions capable of provoking violence, including destruction of property, attacks on livestock, and the spread of inflammatory narratives on social media. He also called on the media to remain professional and support peace-building initiatives.
During the interactive session, participants expressed willingness to cooperate with security agencies but raised concerns including compensation for rustled or killed cattle, restitution for destroyed farmlands, prosecution of offenders, fair justice processes, access to disputed lands, and better regulation of grazing routes and underage herders. They also emphasised the need for youth reorientation, stronger trust in security institutions, and respect for traditional leadership structures.
Responding, Oyinlola reaffirmed the military’s commitment to justice, human rights, and the protection of all law-abiding citizens regardless of ethnicity or religion. He assured that security forces were intensifying efforts to ensure farmers could safely access their lands throughout the season.
He also urged parents and guardians to guide their children and avoid shielding offenders, stressing that accountability is essential for lasting peace. Acknowledging the wider impact of insecurity, the GOC noted that fear disrupts education, markets, and livelihoods, and pledged continued collaboration with communities to restore normalcy.
The engagement concluded with the presentation of fertilizers to stakeholders, with the GOC urging community leaders to communicate the resolutions of the meeting to their respective communities as part of efforts to entrench lasting peace.
Nigerian youngster Godwin Raphael Itotomi has taken a significant step in his football career after completing a move to French club Stade de Reims, where he will continue his development with the club’s youth setup.
Sports247 reports that the highly-rated centre-back, who captained Grassrunners FC of Ogun State, officially signed his contract with the French outfit and is expected to feature for Stade de Reims Révélations, the club’s reserve and youth development team competing in the Groupe Élite Championnat des Réserves Professionnelles.
The transfer marks another milestone for the promising defender, whose leadership qualities and commanding performances at the heart of Grassrunners FC’s defence earned him recognition and opened the door to European football.
Renowned for his composure on the ball, strong aerial presence, tactical awareness and ability to organise the backline, Itotomi now has the opportunity to further develop his game in one of Europe’s respected youth development environments.
The move is expected to expose him to a higher level of competition and professional coaching as he works towards breaking into senior football.
Speaking on the move, those close to the player believe the switch to France represents the perfect platform for the young defender to realise his enormous potential.
Joining Stade de Reims provides him with access to world-class training facilities and a structured development pathway that has produced several top talents over the years.
For Grassrunners FC and Ogun State football, the transfer is another testament to the quality of young players being nurtured at the grassroots level. It also reinforces the growing reputation of Nigerian academies in producing talented footballers capable of earning opportunities with European clubs.
As he begins life in Reims, located in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, Itotomi will be aiming to adapt quickly to his new environment, impress the coaching staff and establish himself as a key figure in the club’s youth ranks.
The move is expected to serve as an important stepping stone in his career, with the long-term ambition of progressing into Stade de Reims’ first team and eventually making his mark at the highest level of European football.
For Nigerian football enthusiasts, Godwin Raphael Itotomi’s transfer is another encouraging success story, highlighting the increasing pathway from grassroots football to elite European clubs.
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