Plateau lands into wasteland: Residents lament as tensions flare,19 killed in serial attacks

Plateau State, popularly known as Nigeria’s ‘Home of Peace and Tourism,’ boasts of cool weather, beautiful hills, and friendly people.Its fertile land supports crops like potatoes, maize, yam, fruits, and vegetables all year round. Visitors from across the country often travel to Jos to enjoy the pleasant climate and stunning views. Yet, despite this positive image and natural riches, the state has suffered sad and painful attacks in recent times.  Rural communities face repeated violent raids by gunmen, causing deaths, injuries, and deep fear among families.

The violence worsened in the past two week, especially in rural areas of Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas (LGAs).  Gunmen launched attacks that many describe as planned and well-coordinated. Sunday Bulus, an eyewitness to the February 22, 2026 attack in Dorowa Bubuje village, Barkin Ladi LGA, told Sunday Vanguard the incident was horrible.

Bulu said gunmen stormed the community around 7:30 p.m. and headed straight to a local bar, shooting at everyone in sight. “I and my friend were in a nearby house, about to eat dinner, when we suddenly heard gunshots,” he recalled. “ “This is a big setback for us. We Plateau people are easy-going and live peacefully with everyone.

“I don’t know why our rural communities face these attacks by gunmen we suspect are herders.  “This is pure genocide”.

Death Toll

The latest attacks began on February 19, 2026. That Thursday night, unknown gunmen killed three herders along the Dorowa-Jong road in Barkin Ladi LGA.

The victims were returning home from a Quran lesson in Dorowa community around 7:00 p.m. Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, Plateau State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), confirmed this to our correspondent.

He said the attackers shot the herders and used sharp objects to cut off one victim’s head. “It was a brutal attack that everyone should condemn,” Babayo said. Two days later, on Saturday evening,

gunmen killed two teenage herders in Jol village, Riyom LGA. The victims were identified as Muhammad Sani, 18, and Furuk Bilyaminu, 17, who reportedly met their fate while grazing cattle.

MACBAN called it “senseless” and part of ongoing attacks on herders. Then, on Sunday evening, February 22, gunmen attacked a relaxation spot in Dorowa Babuje, Barkin Ladi LGA, killing nine people.

On the same day, one person died in a separate attack in Jol, Riyom LGA, with three others injured and rushed to hospital. Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), described the Dorowa Bubuje killings as barbaric. Adding to the pain, on Monday, February 23, four shoe traders were killed in an ambush while traveling from Jos to Pankshin.

So far 19 persons were killed in the renewed attacks in the state.  A security source, speaking anonymously, said the violence stems from old tensions between mostly farming communities and herders.

Both groups clash over land, grazing routes, water, and farm paths. Farmers accuse herders of destroying crops, stealing animals, or poisoning farms. Herders claim farmers attack them, steal cattle, or kill their people.  Each side blames the other for starting the fights.

 Who Are the Perpetrators?

In attacks on farming communities, people describe the attackers as armed gunmen, suspected Fulani militias, or bandits.  Berom youth leaders call them “Fulani terrorists” carrying out revenge.

On the other hand, MACBAN blames herder killings on local militias but so far no group has claimed responsibility. Security forces label the attackers “armed terrorists” or “bandits.”

Both sides point fingers.

 Worst-Hit

In recent weeks, the hardest-hit spots are rural communities in Barkin Ladi LGA, especially Dorowa Babuje (Ratatis area). Riyom LGA also, particularly Jol village, has seen ambushes on locals and farmers. These neighboring LGAs have faced serial violence. Victims include local farmers and residents, mostly from Berom/Christian communities killed in village raids.

Fulani herders, especially young ones, have been ambushed while grazing or traveling.  Many now fear village life; some have fled to cities.

Mrs. Martha Ajang, a Jol resident, told our correspondent: “People no longer go to farms early or stay late because they fear being shot while working or on rural paths.

“This leaves large farmlands empty, with crops rotting or unplanted,” Mr. George Dareng from Jol added. “The farming season is about to start, but rural people live in fear.

“Displaced families have fled to safer towns or camps, leaving tools, seeds, and animals behind.” “These attacks destroy more than lives they ruin the farming way of life.

He added that this violence damages homes, grain stores, and water sources, making farm work impossible. “Farmers lose family members or get injured, leaving fewer hands for crops and livestock farming”, Dareng said. “Ongoing killings turn fertile Plateau lands into wastelands, worsen poverty, and threaten food supply across the nation.

“Sometimes we go to farm, but when harvest time comes, bandits destroy or steal our crops”. Abandoned farms mean less produce for markets everywhere.

Response

Security teams responded quickly in some cases.  For the February 19 herder attack, soldiers and the Barkin Ladi DPO visited the scene. Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, said troops mobilized after a call around 11 p.m.

Major General Folusho Oyinlola, GOC 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, also expressed concern, launched investigations, and urged families to stay calm and share information.

Operation Enduring Peace has also promoted peace-building. Early last month, Oyinlola met leaders in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South LGAs, encouraging support for peaceful farming and business.

Mr. Joseph Danladi, a Dorowa Bubuje native, praised the military’s swift response to the February 22 attack.

Meanwhile, since taking office, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has acted firmly against killings. After the February 22 Dorowa Babuje attack, killing 10 persons at a relaxation spot, he ordered security operatives to intensify operations, pursue perpetrators, and increase presence in affected areas.  He called the attack “barbaric and senseless,” offered condolences, and stressed proactive steps through dialogue and community work.

Mutfwang has always pushed for state police for quicker local responses and has recruited more into Operation Rainbow (the state security outfit) to strengthen defenses.

The state security outfit focuses on intelligence, early warnings, and teamwork with the police and the military, seeing many attacks as deliberate terrorism, not simple clashes.

He promotes reconciliation through talks, forgiveness programs, and meetings with leaders, religious groups, and stakeholders to build trust across divides.

For displaced people or vulnerable groups, he provides support, relief, and coordinates with federal authorities for justice. Critics say promises of arrests often lack results, but Mutfwang combines strong words, directives, reforms, and peace efforts to restore safety.

Angered by repeated attacks by gunmen, youths in Barkin Ladi blocked the Jos highway last Monday to protest the endless killings.

Samson Godiya, one of the protesters, said: “We have suffered too long.  “How long without action? We cannot continue like this.

“Security is there but cannot stop the killers.” Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, who officiated at the burial mass for nine of the February 22 attack victims, condemned the killings, and called for protection of Christian communities.  He prayed for widows and orphans, and urged forgiveness. The National President of Berom Youth Moulders Association, Solomon Mwantiri, said early warnings were ignored.

“We are burying nine victims today”, Mwantiri said.  “This is heartbreaking. We appeal for Operation Enduring Peace to relocate to Fulani settlements where attacks launch from. “Why not station drones there 24/7? “Government must enforce the open grazing ban.” Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Peter Gwom, who spoke at the occasion, condemned the attack

“I’m pained. We are doing our best. Let’s support the government against terrorism, Gwom added. It could be recalled that the Federal Government recently approved the recruiting of 1,000 Plateau youths as forest guards to stem insecurity in the state.  Vice President Kashim Shettima announced this during an event for Governor Mutfwang’s APC defection. It aims to secure rural and forest areas hit by banditry and violence. Mutfwang welcomed it, thanking Tinubu for renewed security focus.  The Nigerian Army has also deployed a new intervention battalion to fight rising attacks, banditry, and kidnappings in Plateau.(Vanguard)