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Operation Enduring Peace Engages Stakeholders in Jos North, Jos East and Bassa LGA to Secure Peaceful Farming Season in Plateau
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.
A new French study has linked several common food preservatives used in store-bought foods to an increased risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, raising fresh concerns about the health effects of additives commonly found in processed and ultra-processed foods.
The study, published in the European Heart Journal, found that people who consumed higher amounts of certain preservatives were more likely to develop hypertension, heart attacks and stroke over time.
Researchers analysed data from more than 112,000 participants enrolled in the NutriNet-Santé cohort, an ongoing French nutrition and health study that has tracked dietary habits since 2009.
Burden of heart disease in Nigeria
The findings come as Nigeria continues to face a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, stroke and heart disease.
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels remains consistently too high. Over time, the condition can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.
A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, potentially causing paralysis, speech problems or death.
Heart attacks happen when blood flow to part of the heart becomes blocked, preventing oxygen from reaching heart muscles.
According to a report by PREMIUM TIMES, health experts and existing reports, hypertension remains one of the most common non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, with many cases undiagnosed until complications develop.
Preservatives linked to cardiovascular risk
According to the findings, preservatives used to prevent spoilage caused by bacteria, mould and yeast were associated with significantly higher cardiovascular risks.
The study reported that higher consumption of these preservatives was linked to a 29 per cent greater risk of elevated blood pressure and a 16 per cent increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Researchers identified three “non-antioxidant” preservatives strongly associated with hypertension. These include potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulphite and sodium nitrite.
Potassium sorbate is commonly used in baked goods, cheeses, sauces and wine, while potassium metabisulphite is often found in wine, juice, cider and beer.
Sodium nitrite is widely used in processed meats such as bacon, ham and deli meats.
The study also found that several antioxidant preservatives, often described as “natural”, were associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
These include ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium erythorbate, citric acid and rosemary extracts, which are commonly used to prevent foods from turning brown or rancid.
Higher intake of these antioxidant preservatives was associated with a 22 per cent greater risk of high blood pressure.
Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, was specifically linked to cardiovascular disease in the study.
Researchers noted that although ascorbic acid and citric acid naturally occur in fruits and vegetables, additives used in processed foods may not have the same health effects as naturally occurring compounds.
Ultra-processed foods under scrutiny
The findings add to growing evidence linking ultra-processed foods to poor health outcomes.
Researchers noted that preservatives are not limited to ultra-processed foods alone, as earlier findings showed that only about 35 per cent of preservative intake came from ultra-processed products.
Still, the study highlighted the widespread presence of preservatives across many commonly consumed foods and reinforced recommendations encouraging people to consume more fresh and minimally processed foods.
Researchers advised consumers to prioritise fresh, uncooked and minimally processed foods where possible.
Frozen foods preserved through low temperatures rather than additives were also identified as preferable alternatives.
Long-term dietary tracking
To conduct the research, participants recorded all foods and drinks consumed over three days every six months, including brand names.
Researchers then matched these records with ingredient databases to estimate preservative exposure over several years.
Medical records from the French national healthcare system were used to track diagnoses of hypertension and cardiovascular disease over the study period.
The researchers examined 58 preservatives in total and conducted detailed analysis on 17 additives consumed by at least 10 per cent of participants. Eight of those preservatives were associated with increased hypertension risk over the following decade.
READ ALSO: WHO, EU launch health support project as Nigeria battles multiple disease outbreaks
Links to cancer, diabetes
The study builds on previous research linking similar preservatives to increased risks of cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Earlier findings identified preservatives such as sodium nitrite, potassium nitrate, sorbates, potassium metabisulphite, acetates and acetic acid as being associated with higher risks of prostate cancer, breast cancer and other cancers.
Several of the same preservatives were also previously linked to a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Although the researchers noted that the findings do not establish direct cause and effect, they said the results highlight the need for further investigation into the long-term health effects of food additives and preservatives.
Rangers International emerged champions of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season after a dramatic 2-1 away victory over Ikorodu City on the final day of the campaign.
Midfielder Chidiebere Nwobodo proved to be the hero for the Flying Antelopes, scoring twice in the 30th and 52nd minutes before Moses Ali pulled one back for Ikorodu City in the 58th minute. The crucial victory saw Rangers finish top of the table with 68 points, sealing their second NPFL title in three seasons.
Read Also: Jide Oguntuase Backs Ex-International Tournament as Platform for Grassroots Development
Title rivals Rivers United kept up the pressure with an emphatic 3-0 win over Katsina United in Port Harcourt. Chijioke Mbaoma netted a brace while Aniekeme Okon also got on the scoresheet, but the result was not enough as Rivers United finished one point behind the champions on 67 points.
At the bottom of the table, Remo Stars’ fate remains uncertain following a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance in Benin City. Victor Mbaoma had given the Sky Blue Stars the lead in the first half, but Chijioke Akuneto struck deep into stoppage time to deny them a crucial victory.
However, Remo Stars’ survival will now depend on the outcome of the postponed Kun Khalifat match, which was disrupted by heavy rainfall and will be concluded on Monday morning. A victory for Kun Khalifat would confirm Remo Stars’ relegation to the Nigeria National League.
Elsewhere, Shooting Stars lost 1-0 to Niger Tornadoes but still secured a CAF Confederation Cup ticket after finishing third on the table.
Other final-day results saw Enyimba thrash El-Kanemi Warriors 3-0, while Bayelsa United hammered Kwara United 4-0.
In Akure, Warri Wolves boosted their survival hopes with a 2-1 victory over Abia Warriors, while Plateau United edged Kano Pillars 1-0 thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time strike from Victor Dawa.
Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists have already been confirmed relegated to the Nigeria National League.
Results At A Glance
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Shooting Stars
Enyimba 3-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
Bayelsa United 4-0 Kwara United
Bendel Insurance 1-1 Remo Stars
Ikorodu City 1-2 Rangers International
Rivers United 3-0 Katsina United
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