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We’ll Dominate Ungoverned Spaces to Keep the Festive Season Safe” — GOC Assures Communities
Stakeholders Laud Security Gains as GOC 3 Division Hosts Meeting Ahead of Harvest and Yuletide Season
Stakeholders across Plateau State and adjoining communities have commended recent security improvements and explored fresh strategies to sustain stability during the upcoming harvest period and Yuletide celebrations.
This came during a one-day stakeholders’ meeting convened on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), Major General Folusho Oyinlola, at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.
The engagement drew participants from frontline LGAs in Plateau, Kaduna, and Bauchi States, including Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Jos North, Mangu, Riyom, Wase, Sanga, and Kafanchan. Government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, and community-based organisations were also in attendance.
In his opening remarks, Major General Oyinlola described the meeting as a timely effort to reinforce collaborative approaches to security. He noted that previous engagements contributed to a marked reduction in farm destruction, cattle rustling, and other criminal activities threatening peace across the region.
The GOC highlighted the impact of OPEP’s non-kinetic interventions — community dialogues, youth engagement, and peace mediation — which he said have strengthened community policing and enhanced local security networks. He explained that the theme of the meeting, “Strengthening Community Partnership for a Secure Harvest and Yuletide Season,” reflects OPEP’s commitment to developing resilient and inclusive peace structures.
Major General Oyinlola reported that troops had achieved significant successes in recent months, including the neutralisation of armed criminal elements in various parts of the Joint Operations Area. He assured residents that security forces would continue to dominate ungoverned spaces and swiftly counter any attempts to disrupt the festive period.
He urged traditional institutions, youth and women groups, and community leaders to intensify grassroots sensitisation, commending communities for reinforcing local security measures such as neighborhood watches, vigilante groups, and early-warning systems.
Representing Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Special Adviser on Security and Coordinator of Operation RAINBOW, Brigadier General GG Shippi (rtd), commended the military and sister security agencies for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property. He reaffirmed the State Government’s resolve to support security operations until lasting peace is restored.
LGA representatives praised the improved security atmosphere while calling for sustained dialogue, reconciliation, and strengthened channels for engaging disputing groups. They also recommended the formation of additional community-based peace committees and the expansion of ongoing intervention efforts.
Stakeholders reiterated that peace remains essential for development and urged both authorities and residents to maintain open communication and prioritise conflict prevention.
Wednesday’s meeting follows a similar pre-farming-season engagement held earlier in the year, which contributed to a relatively peaceful planting period with minimal disruptions. To consolidate these gains, the GOC approved the expanded forum to ensure a secure harvest and harmonious festive season.
The session featured robust discussions, solution-driven exchanges, and renewed commitments to enhancing stability across the Joint Operations Area.
The 3 Division and Operation ENDURING PEACE reaffirmed their resolve to deepen community partnerships as Plateau State and neighbouring regions prepare for the Yuletide season.
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to include his name in the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election or face legal action.
The demand was contained in a letter written by his lawyers, led by Ahmed Raji, SAN, dated Monday and addressed to INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan.
This comes after Pantami’s name was omitted from the list published by INEC on October 10.
His legal team described the omission as unlawful and unexplained, insisting that their client emerged as the party’s candidate in a fresh governorship primary conducted in compliance with court orders.
In the letter jointly signed by Raji, A.T. Kehinde, Abdul Mohammed, Wale Balogun and Chief Tunde Falola, the lawyers gave INEC until Wednesday, October 14, to publish Pantami’s name alongside those of other candidates.
They said Pantami is a registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Pantami Ward, Gombe State, and participated in the party’s governorship primary held on May 26, 2026, where he emerged as the winner.
According to the lawyers, the PDP forwarded Pantami’s personal details to INEC on August 8, and the commission published his name on August 29 without raising any objection at the time.
The letter explained that the May 26 primary was later challenged in two suits before the Federal High Court in Gombe: Suit Nos. FHC/GM/CS/9/2026 and FHC/GM/CS/10/2026.
It said that although the court nullified the primary over the manner in which it was conducted, it ruled in Pantami’s favour on the issues of party membership and eligibility.
Citing the judgment in Suit No. FHC/GM/CS/9/2026, the lawyers quoted the court as saying: “I therefore find that the Plaintiff has not established that the 3rd Defendant was legally incapable of being recognised by the 1st Defendant as its member.”
On the second suit, they quoted the court as saying: “As to PDP membership, even though the 2nd Defendant’s name does not appear in Exhibit A, that fact alone is not conclusive of his non-membership.”
The legal team said the court affirmed the party’s authority to determine its membership, noting that the PDP tendered a membership card and register bearing Pantami’s name.
They added that in its judgments delivered on September 24, the court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary within 30 days, in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026, the party’s constitution and its guidelines.
According to the lawyers, the court limited its consequential orders to nominations arising from the May 26 primary.
“In compliance with the Court Order, the PDP gave the Commission due notice of the court-ordered primary, and conducted the fresh gubernatorial primary election on Tuesday, the 29th day of September, 2026,” the letter stated.
Gombe 2027: Publish my name within three days – Pantami issues INEC ultimatum
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“He’s Not at the Level We Want, But I Believe in Him” — Simeone Backs Lookman to Rediscover Best Form
Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone has thrown his weight behind Nigerian international Ademola Lookman despite admitting that the Super Eagles forward is yet to reach the performance level expected of him at the Spanish club.
Simeone acknowledged that Lookman has not been performing at the standard either the player or the coaching staff desires, but insisted that his commitment in training and willingness to improve remain encouraging.
“Ademola isn’t at the level he wants or we want, but he works hard every day,” Simeone said.
The Argentine tactician also highlighted Lookman’s attacking qualities, particularly his ability to take on defenders, explaining that losing possession is sometimes an unavoidable part of a player’s efforts to create opportunities.
“He’s a dribbler, and he needs to lose the ball sometimes,” the Atlético manager explained.
Despite his assessment of the Nigerian’s current form, Simeone made it clear that he retains confidence in Lookman’s ability to deliver.
“I believe in him,” he declared.
The comments underline the balance Simeone is seeking between demanding improved performances and allowing the forward the freedom to express himself in attacking situations.
Lookman’s reputation has been built on his pace, movement and ability to unsettle defenders in one-on-one situations, qualities that have made him an important attacking option for both club and country.
However, Simeone’s remarks suggest that the Nigerian still has work to do to consistently meet the demands of his manager’s tactical approach.
Rather than questioning Lookman’s effort, the Atlético coach appears encouraged by his attitude and daily commitment, indicating that the player continues to enjoy the backing of the technical staff.
For Lookman, the challenge will be to translate that hard work into more decisive contributions on matchdays while retaining the attacking boldness that defines his game.
Simeone’s message is clear: Lookman has not yet reached the desired standard, but his manager remains convinced that the Nigerian has the qualities and determination to improve.
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