Operation Enduring Peace flags off 6th football tournament to promote youth inclusiveness in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), Maj.-Gen. W.M. Dangana, has flagged off the sixth edition of the OPEP Football Tournament aimed at promoting youth inclusiveness, peaceful coexistence and social cohesion in Plateau State.
The tournament, themed “Youth Inclusiveness in Plateau State,” was officially kicked off at about 1600 hours on Sept. 19, 2026, at the Jeremiah Hussain Stadium, University of Jos, in Jos North Local Government Area.
The event was attended by the Chief of Staff, OPEP, Brig.-Gen. M.S. Sule, accompanied by other staff officers, the Commander, Sector 1 OPEP, representatives of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos and other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Dangana commended the organisers for using sports as a platform to engage young people and foster unity and mutual understanding among different ethnic, religious and community groups in the state.
He said the tournament formed part of OPEP’s non-kinetic approach to conflict prevention, particularly through meaningful youth engagement and activities capable of strengthening peaceful relationships among communities.
The opening match of the tournament saw the University of Jos team defeat Jos North Local Government Area 3–0.
The event ended without any security incident, with security personnel maintaining a presence around the venue throughout the programme.
