The Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, has intensified efforts to sustain peace in Plateau State by convening a broad-based stakeholders’ engagement involving leaders and representatives from Jos North, Jos East, and Bassa Local Government Areas ahead of the 2026 farming season.
The engagement, held in Jos, brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, community representatives, youth leaders, farmers, herders, and security agencies to deliberate on practical strategies for preventing conflict and ensuring a smooth agricultural season.
Speaking on behalf of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, the Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Mohammed Sule, described the meeting as timely and strategic. He said the objective was to consolidate the relative peace recorded in recent months while proactively addressing emerging threats.
He commended residents of the three local government areas for their commitment to peaceful coexistence, noting a visible reduction in violent incidents due to sustained dialogue and cooperation. However, he warned that challenges such as kidnapping, attacks on mining sites, illegal arms manufacturing, and the influx of cattle into farming communities—often leading to destruction of farmlands and reprisals—remain sources of concern.
To mitigate these risks, the GOC disclosed that both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches were being deployed. He revealed that the Chief of Defence Staff has approved the distribution of fertilizers to farmers across communal divides to boost agricultural productivity and foster cooperation, while the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has deployed a Special Forces Intervention Battalion to Plateau State to reinforce ongoing operations and swiftly respond to threats.
He further urged stakeholders to strengthen community-based conflict resolution mechanisms and sensitize youths against actions capable of triggering violence, such as farm destruction and cattle poisoning. He also called on media practitioners to uphold professionalism, emphasizing that unverified or sensational reports could inflame tensions rather than promote peace.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Jos North Local Government Area, Barrister John Kyohroh Christopher, commended Operation Enduring Peace for its relentless efforts in restoring calm, particularly after the recent Angwan Rukuba attack. He assured that the local government would continue to collaborate with the Joint Task Force to consolidate peace and stability in the area.
Also speaking, the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, represented by Celestina Avizavi on behalf of the Director General, Dr. Julie Sanda, highlighted the critical link between peace and food security. She noted that the engagement went beyond agriculture, stressing that “where there is peace, farmers plant with confidence, herders move without fear, and communities thrive together.” She described the forum as a proactive and necessary step toward preventing conflict and safeguarding livelihoods.
Traditional institutions were also represented at the meeting. Speaking on behalf of the Ujah of Anaguta, His Majesty Pozoh Dr. Johnson Jauro Magaji II, the royal father from Nabor, HRH Haruna Bala, emphasized that such engagements are vital to strengthening the peace process at the grassroots. He assured that traditional rulers would cascade the outcomes of the meeting to their communities and engage youths to support peacebuilding efforts.
From the Fulani community, Ardo Ali Mohammed of Jos North lauded the initiative for bringing together diverse groups across religious and ethnic lines, describing it as a strong symbol of unity. He pledged that the resolutions reached would be communicated to members of his community to ensure compliance and peaceful coexistence.
Other stakeholders, including community leaders and representatives of both Christian and Muslim groups, also appreciated the military’s intervention, particularly the distribution of fertilizers, noting that it would ease the burden on farmers and encourage collaboration rather than conflict.
Participants collectively pledged to work together to ensure a peaceful farming season, emphasizing the need for vigilance, dialogue, and mutual respect among all groups.
In his concluding remarks, the GOC reaffirmed that Operation Enduring Peace remains committed to protecting all law-abiding citizens without bias, stressing that security agencies will continue aggressive operations against criminal elements. He, however, emphasized that lasting peace can only be achieved through sincere cooperation and shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
The engagement ended presentation of fertilizers to various communities with a renewed call for unity, restraint, and sustained collaboration as Plateau State prepares for the farming season.
Former Plateau State Governor and elder statesman, Senator Jonah David Jang, has voiced strong opposition to proposals that would allow Hausa/Fulani residents in Plateau State to obtain indigene certificates, describing the issue as one with far-reaching implications for the state’s cultural heritage, identity, and indigenous rights. Jang made his position known while addressing ongoing debates surrounding citizenship, residency, and indigeneity, topics that have remained at the center of political and social discussions in Plateau State for decades.
According to the former governor, indigene certificates are historically linked to communities and ethnic groups recognized as the original inhabitants of Plateau State and should not be granted solely on the basis of long-term residence. He argued that while every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and conduct lawful activities anywhere in the country, such rights should not automatically translate into indigene status, which he said carries unique cultural and historical significance.
Jang further maintained that preserving the distinction between residents and indigenes is necessary to protect the interests, heritage, and political representation of indigenous communities. He warned that altering the existing framework could create tensions and undermine the rights of groups that have historically been recognized as native to the state. The former governor emphasized the need for careful consideration of any policy changes relating to indigene certificates to avoid unintended consequences.
The comments have since generated mixed reactions among stakeholders across the state and beyond. While supporters of Jang’s position argue that protecting indigenous identity is essential for maintaining social and cultural balance, others contend that individuals who have lived in Plateau for generations should be afforded broader recognition and inclusion. The debate continues to spark conversations on the broader issues of citizenship, belonging, and equal opportunities within Nigeria’s diverse society.
Nigerian thrower Vincent Ugwoke produced one of the most significant performances in Nigerian field event history, launching a massive personal best of 63.89 metres to claim the bronze medal in the men’s discus throw at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Sports247 reports that the outstanding effort not only secured Ugwoke a place on the podium but also elevated him into the history books, recording the furthest discus throw by a Nigerian athlete since 2004.
Competing against one of the strongest collegiate fields in the world, Ugwoke delivered when it mattered most, producing a career-best mark to earn his first NCAA medal and underline his growing status among Nigeria’s elite field athletes.
The event was won by Jamaican star Ralford Mullings, who captured gold with a throw of 65.81m, while compatriot Racquil Broderick secured silver with a personal best of 64.15m. Ugwoke’s 63.89m throw completed the podium and ensured Nigeria was represented among the medal winners.
Beyond the medal itself, the significance of the performance lies in its historical context. Nigerian athletics has traditionally been known for its success in sprinting and jumping events, making Ugwoke’s achievement particularly noteworthy.
His mark stands as the best by a Nigerian discus thrower in more than two decades, highlighting both the quality of his performance and its importance for the development of field events in the country.
The bronze medal also caps an impressive season of progress for the Nigerian, whose steady improvement culminated in a breakthrough performance on one of collegiate athletics’ biggest stages.
Delivering a personal best under championship pressure is a testament to both his preparation and competitive mindset.
For Nigerian athletics, Ugwoke’s achievement serves as a reminder of the growing depth of talent emerging across different disciplines.
His success could provide inspiration for a new generation of throwers looking to make their mark nationally and internationally.
With a personal best, an NCAA bronze medal, and a place in the record books now secured, Vincent Ugwoke leaves the championships having achieved a truly memorable milestone.
His 63.89m throw will be remembered as one of the finest Nigerian discus performances of the modern era and a significant moment in the resurgence of Nigerian field events.
