Security
Timber Stars FC Win Greater Together Peace and Unity Football Tournament
The second edition of the Greater Together Peace and Unity Football Competition ended on a thrilling note on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at the Mangu Mini Stadium, with Timber Stars FC emerging champions after a dramatic final against Spiders FC.
The highly competitive encounter ended goalless at the end of regulation time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. Timber Stars FC held their nerves to defeat Spiders FC 4–3 on penalties, securing the championship title and the ₦1 million first-place prize. Spiders FC finished as runners-up and received ₦700,000, while Na’atika Lynx FC clinched third place with a cash reward of ₦500,000. Individual honours were also presented for Outstanding Player of the Tournament, Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, Best Behaved Team, among others.
The tournament featured 24 teams drawn from the 20 wards of Mangu Local Government Area and attracted thousands of spectators to the final. Organizers recorded a peaceful and incident-free competition throughout its duration, underscoring the event’s core objective of promoting unity and coexistence.
The competition was jointly organized by the Deputy Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, Hon. Nuhu Yakwen; Hon. Engr. Mangna Yusuf Wamyil of the Jos Main Market Authority; Nurse Ndak Zuhumnan, Programme Manager of the Plateau State Malaria Elimination Programme; Hon. Sam Shwarta, Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Plateau State; and entrepreneur Hon. Wilson Simon.
Speaking at the event, the Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, described the tournament as a laudable initiative that aligns with the state government’s commitment to youth development and social cohesion. He noted that more than 700 youths participated in the competition, stressing that such platforms foster unity, peace, and healthy competition beyond government interventions.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Ephraim Usman, said the tournament was a clear indication that peace has returned to Mangu LGA after past security challenges. He highlighted football’s power to unite people across religious, ethnic, and linguistic divides and emphasized its potential to uncover talents capable of representing Plateau State and Nigeria at higher levels.
Also speaking, Nurse Ndak Zuhumnan, popularly known as Kizito, said the initiative was inspired by the vision of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to positively engage youths and redirect their energies. He noted that the competition united communities and helped steer youths away from social vices, with no negative incidents recorded throughout the tournament.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Drug and Medical Commodities Management Agency, Pharm. Kim Jerry Bot, commended the organizers for what he described as a noble initiative capable of driving peace, unity, and development in line with the governor’s people-oriented agenda. The General Manager of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), Arch. Hart Bankat, also emphasized the importance of engaging youths constructively during festive periods, describing sports as a vital avenue for talent discovery.
Earlier, Hon. Mangna Yusuf Wamyil explained that the tournament was conceived to foster peace and unity in Mangu LGA, an area that has experienced sectarian and religious crises in the past. He expressed satisfaction with the success of the second edition and disclosed that scouts and top government officials were in attendance to identify promising talents for future opportunities.
The final match and award ceremony attracted several dignitaries, government officials, community leaders, and football enthusiasts, as the packed Mangu Mini Stadium reflected renewed unity, hope, and enthusiasm for sports in the area.
Events
COAS Honours Troops with Eid El Kabir Luncheon in Plateau, Commends Sacrifices in Ongoing Operations
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General W. Shaibu NAM, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, hosted a special Eid el Kabir luncheon for frontline troops in Plateau State in recognition of their sacrifices and sustained efforts in maintaining peace and security across the Joint Operations Area.
The event, organised by Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), held at the Operation ENDURING PEACE headquarters in Jos and brought together officers, soldiers, their families, and invited guests in a festive atmosphere.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff, the Commander Armour Corps, Major General U.B. Abubakar, delivered the COAS’s goodwill message, describing Eid el Kabir as a reminder of faith, sacrifice, obedience, and devotion to duty.
He commended troops for their resilience in the face of security challenges across the country, noting their contributions to ongoing operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, and other forms of criminality.
According to him, the Nigerian Army remains proud of the commitment and professionalism of its personnel, adding that their sacrifices continue to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also paid tribute to fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation, describing their memory as a source of inspiration for serving troops. He extended condolences to their families and assured them of continued support and welfare attention from the Army.
The COAS, through his representative, reaffirmed his commitment to improving troops’ welfare, noting that ongoing infrastructure projects, housing schemes, healthcare support, and educational initiatives for personnel and their families remain a priority under his command philosophy.
He urged troops to remain disciplined, professional, and united, while using the festive period to reflect on the values of sacrifice, loyalty, and service to the nation. He also emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in sustaining operational success.
Speaking at the event, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, said Eid el Kabir symbolizes sacrifice, obedience, and devotion—values he noted are deeply reflected in military service.
He commended troops operating under challenging conditions, describing their resilience and professionalism as vital to ongoing peace efforts in the region.
Oyinlola also observed a moment of remembrance for fallen personnel, stating that their sacrifices must continue to inspire commitment to mission success. He urged troops to remain vigilant and dedicated to sustaining gains in security operations.
The event was attended by senior security officials, including representatives of the Special Adviser on Security to the Plateau State Government and Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, heads of security agencies, senior military officers, and other stakeholders.
High-ranking officers also took part in serving meals to troops, a gesture that highlighted camaraderie and appreciation, while cultural performances and entertainment added colour to the celebration.
The luncheon ended with renewed calls for unity, discipline, and continued dedication to national service as troops marked the Eid celebration with their families and colleagues.
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