Key Points

• Gunmen killed 19 people in coordinated attacks across Plateau communities.

• Violence forced farmers to abandon lands and displaced several families.

• Government deployed troops and forest guards to curb rising insecurity.

Plateau State, fondly known as Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Tourism,” is once again gripped by violence, as renewed attacks across rural communities have left at least 19 people dead in less than two weeks.

Renowned for its cool climate, rolling hills and fertile farmland that produces potatoes, maize, yam, fruits and vegetables year-round, the state has in recent years struggled to live up to its peaceful image. Instead, fear now stalks many villages.

The latest wave of violence has hit Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas (LGAs) the hardest. Residents describe the attacks as coordinated and deliberate.

Sunday Bulus, who witnessed the February 22, 2026 assault on Dorowa Bubuje village in Barkin Ladi LGA, recounted a terrifying scene.

He said gunmen stormed the community around 7:30 p.m. and headed straight to a local relaxation spot, opening fire indiscriminately.

“I and my friend were in a nearby house about to eat dinner when we suddenly heard gunshots,” he said. “This is a big setback for us. Plateau people are easy-going and live peacefully with everyone. I don’t know why our rural communities face these attacks.”

On the same day, separate violence in Jol, Riyom LGA, left one person dead and three others injured. A day later, four shoe traders travelling from Jos to Pankshin were ambushed and killed.

Killings deepen farmer-herder divide

The bloodshed began on February 19 when three herders were killed along the Dorowa-Jong road in Barkin Ladi. Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), confirmed that the victims were returning from a Quranic lesson when they were attacked.

“It was a brutal attack that everyone should condemn,” Babayo said, alleging that one victim was beheaded.

Two days later, gunmen killed two teenage herders — Muhammad Sani, 18, and Furuk Bilyaminu, 17 — while they were grazing cattle in Jol village, Riyom LGA.

By February 22, nine people were gunned down at a relaxation spot in Dorowa Bubuje, bringing the death toll to 19 in the latest round of violence.

Security sources say the crisis stems from long-standing tensions between farming communities and herders over land, grazing routes, water sources and farm paths. Farmers accuse herders of destroying crops and encroaching on farmlands, while herders allege cattle rustling and targeted killings.

Each side blames the other. Berom youth leaders describe the attackers as armed militias, while MACBAN points fingers at local vigilantes. Security agencies, however, have labelled the perpetrators as bandits and terrorists.

Beyond the loss of lives, the violence is crippling agriculture. Residents say fear has forced many farmers to abandon their lands.

“People no longer go to farms early or stay late,” said Mrs. Martha Ajang, a resident of Jol. “They fear being shot.”

Mr. George Dareng added that abandoned farmlands and destroyed crops are turning Plateau’s once-fertile lands into wastelands. “These killings ruin our farming way of life and threaten food supply across the nation,” he said.

Government and military step up response

Security forces have responded to some of the incidents, with troops under Operation Enduring Peace mobilising after distress calls.

The General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, has ordered investigations and urged communities to remain calm.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has also condemned the attacks, describing them as “barbaric and senseless.”

He has directed security agencies to intensify operations, pursue perpetrators and strengthen their presence in affected communities.

The governor has consistently advocated for the creation of state police and expanded the state security outfit, Operation Rainbow, to boost intelligence gathering and early warning systems. He has also promoted dialogue and reconciliation efforts among community leaders and stakeholders.

The Federal Government recently approved the recruitment of 1,000 Plateau youths as forest guards to help tackle insecurity in rural areas, while the Nigerian Army has deployed a new intervention battalion to address rising banditry and kidnappings.

Despite these measures, frustration is mounting. Youths in Barkin Ladi last week blocked the Jos highway in protest against what they described as endless killings.

“How long will this continue?” asked protester Samson Godiya. “Security is there, but the killings have not stopped.”

As Plateau mourns yet another round of burials, many residents say restoring lasting peace is now more urgent than ever — before more fertile lands fall silent and more families are torn apart.