Rising Tensions in Plateau Demand Urgent, Coordinated Intervention

By: Zagazola Makama

Emerging security indicators from Plateau State point to a fragile and potentially volatile situation as tensions between Fulani pastoralists and Berom communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas show signs of spreading toward the Jos metropolitan axis.

Security observers warn that without swift and carefully calibrated intervention, the current pattern of killings and reprisal attacks could degenerate into a broader ethno-religious crisis reminiscent of past upheavals that once paralysed the state and reverberated across parts of Northern Nigeria.

For years, rural communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi have experienced recurrent clashes linked to grazing routes, land use disputes and cycles of retaliation. However, recent developments suggest that the tension is no longer confined to agrarian flash zones.

Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas , historically sensitive due to longstanding disputes over indigeneship, political representation and religious identity, are now recording heightened anxiety linked to incidents in the hinterlands.

Particularly concerning are reports of killings involving youths from Jos North while transiting through Barkin Ladi. Such incidents risk reframing what had been largely rural land-use conflicts into a broader ethno-religious confrontation within the Jos township, long regarded as a symbolic and demographic fault line.

Jos’ strategic location in the North-Central corridor further raises the stakes. Historically, major unrest in Plateau has had spillover effects into neighbouring states, including Kaduna, Bauchi and Kano, where sectarian sensitivities remain latent but potent.

Recent intelligence point to the crystallisation of hardline positions among youth groups on both sides. Berom youth elements have reportedly issued ultimatums prohibiting grazing activities in parts of Barkin Ladi, citing recent killings as justification. Conversely, Fulani youth groups are said to have rejected such demands and pledged to sustain established grazing patterns.

Zagazola warn that ultimatums of this nature are structurally incompatible and tend to narrow the space for negotiation. Left unaddressed, they create an environment in which symbolic defiance becomes more important than compromise, increasing the likelihood of confrontation.

Religious and traditional leaders across affected communities retain significant grassroots influence. Yet it was noted that structured, proactive mobilisation of these actors toward de-escalation has not reached the intensity required by the moment.

Plateau’s past recovery from large-scale violence was partly driven by interfaith dialogue platforms and the moral authority of respected community figures who framed peace as a shared survival imperative. A similar mobilisation is urgently required.

Equally important is the posture of the state. In polarised environments, perceptions often carry as much weight as actions. Confidence-building measures that visibly demonstrate neutrality and inclusiveness are considered critical to preventing narratives of bias from taking root.

Another emerging concern relates to allegations of unprofessional conduct by some security personnel in affected areas. Though such claims remain under review, experts caution that even isolated incidents can erode public trust and complicate stabilisation efforts.

Effective counter-conflict operations require not only tactical capability but also legitimacy. Maintaining discipline, transparency and accountability within security deployments is therefore essential to preserving operational credibility.

Beyond immediate containment, emphasise should be taken that Plateau’s recurrent crises are deeply rooted in structural issues: land tenure ambiguity, demographic pressure, youth unemployment, historical grievances and politicisation of identity.

A purely reactive security response, while necessary in the short term, cannot substitute for sustained political engagement, institutional reform and economic inclusion.

The current moment presents both danger and opportunity. Danger, because escalating rhetoric and retaliatory cycles could rapidly overwhelm existing security architecture. Opportunity, because early, coordinated intervention can prevent escalation and reinforce lessons learned from past crises.

Urgent synchronised engagement across Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos North and Jos South LGAs is essential to prevent displacement of conflict from rural to urban centres. De-escalation efforts must be simultaneous and inclusive to avoid creating vacuums that hostile actors could exploit.

Dialogue with youth leaders, activation of religious and traditional networks, reinforcement of neutral security posture and strategic communication to counter inflammatory narratives are widely viewed as immediate priorities.

Plateau’s stability remains central not only to its residents but also to the wider North-Central geopolitical zone. The trajectory of events in the coming days will likely determine whether the state consolidates its fragile calm or slides back into a cycle of confrontation.

The window for preventive action remains open but narrowing.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

Rising Tensions in Plateau Demand Urgent, Coordinated Intervention

Barkin Ladi chairman condemns killing of five Hausa youths, urges restraint reiterate commitment to peace

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Mr John Kyoro Christopher, has condemned the killing of five innocent Hausa youths by protesting Birom Youths along the Nding axis of the council area, describing the act as barbaric and unacceptable.

Christopher, who addressed journalists in Jos North, said the victims were young men from Jos North Local Government Area Traveling to their various businesses when they were attacked and killed for committing no offence.

Zagazola reports that the incident occurred hours after gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits allegedly killed seven persons in a reprisal attack in Dorowa Babuje village on Feb. 22.

Following the earlier attack, some irate youths reportedly blocked the road along the Nding axis of Barkin Ladi LGA and began attacking commuters identified as Hausa. Four persons were allegedly selected and killed on the spot, while a fifth later died from injuries sustained during the attack.

The victims were said to be Hausa indigenes of Jos North, a development that heightened tension in parts of the Jos metropolis, including Terminus and Gangare areas. Which Prompted immediately security response from Joint troops of Operation Enduring Peace.

Reacting to the incident, Christopher condemned the action in the strongest terms.

“These were young, promising men travelling to carry out legitimate businesses. They were not armed and did nothing to provoke anyone. Stopping travellers and killing them is not our culture. It is totally unacceptable,” he said.

He described the perpetrators as individuals without conscience, stressing that no one had the right to take another person’s life.

The chairman thanked security forces deployed to the area for their swift intervention, noting that their presence prevented the situation from escalating into a wider crisis.

He commended personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, the military under Operation Enduring Peace, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) for their coordinated response.

According to him, security operatives promptly visited the scene, recovered the remains of the victims and ensured they were buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

Christopher also appreciated community leaders, youth leaders and religious stakeholders in Jos North for showing restraint and working to maintain calm despite the provocation.

“We have worked hard to sustain peace and unity in Jos North and Barkin Ladi, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. We must not allow this painful incident to destroy the progress we have made,” he said.

He appealed to residents, particularly youths, not to take the law into their hands, urging them to remain calm and allow security agencies to investigate the matter.

The chairman called on government and relevant security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.

“One of the primary responsibilities of government is the protection of lives and property. Innocent lives have been lost, and the laws are clear. The perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice,” he said.

Christopher reiterated his commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence in the area and urged residents to remain vigilant while cooperating with security agencies to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The Residents of Jos North Lauded leadership demonstrated by the Chairman of deserves strong commendation.

“At a time when emotions were high and tensions could easily have spiralled out of control, the chairman chose the path of restraint, responsibility and statesmanship. Instead of inflaming passions, he publicly condemned the killing of innocent youths in clear and unequivocal terms. That moral clarity is what leadership demands in moments of crisis.

They equally condemned conduct of Rev. Dachomo and the Birom youths’ Barrister Solomon for declaring war in the state instead of deescalating tension. in the aftermath of the killings.

“It is deeply troubling that Rev. Dachomo reportedly visited the scene of the killings yet failed to clearly and publicly condemn the murder of unarmed young men who were simply on their way to legitimate businesses. At a moment when leadership demanded calm, moral clarity, and empathy for grieving families, silence or selective outrage only deepens division,”they said.

“Even more concerning is the alleged call for war by individuals who are fully aware of what already transpired. When leaders, particularly religious and youth figures, resort to inflammatory rhetoric instead of advocating peace and justice, they risk pouring fuel on an already volatile situation.

“The killing of innocent commuters cannot be justified under any narrative not retaliation, not grievance, not identity politics. If seven people were killed in Dorowa Babuje by suspected criminals, the lawful and moral response is to demand justice through security agencies not to block roads and execute travellers based on ethnicity,”they added.

Barkin Ladi chairman condemns killing of five Hausa youths, urges restraint reiterate commitment to peace

Jingir Opposes State Police, Alleges Plot to Destabilise Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

The debate over the proposed establishment of state police has taken a fresh turn in Plateau State following remarks by prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, who cautioned against the initiative and alleged attempts by political actors to destabilise the state.

Jingir, the National Chairman, Council of Ulama, Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), headquartered in Jos, expressed reservations over granting states the authority to establish their own police formations.

The cleric warned that, in a politically polarised environment like Plateau, state-controlled security outfits could be misused against perceived political opponents.

“Tell us, when he was in power, who has become rich? How many Berom has he killed? How many Fulani has he killed? How many Hausas and Christians has he killed? Even those that are close to him, some people said that he was the one that led to the harvesting of their kidney. It was alleged. We have been hearing so. He removed the kidney of those close to him, talk more of you,” said Jingir.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise caution in considering proposals for decentralised policing, arguing that safeguards must be firmly in place to prevent abuse.

Jingir’s intervention comes amid renewed national conversations on restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture. Proponents of state police argue that decentralisation would enhance rapid response and local intelligence gathering. Critics, however, fear potential politicisation in states with deeply divided political and ethno-religious landscapes.

In his remarks, Jingir suggested that certain political actors in Plateau might exploit state police structures to target individuals perceived as unsympathetic to their ideology. He emphasised the need to prioritise peace and stability over partisan interests.

“Some certain issues, they will pretend as if everything has gone down, but they will just raise it up when the security outfit is established. They say they should establish police in every state. If anyone says he will accept this, are we going to accept it?” worshippers chanted, “Not at all.” “You know how they cheated us. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, some of these politicians are not as good as you, they are not as good as someone like Kashim Shettima. Wallahi, if you grant them the permission to establish police, they will start killing those that are not inclined with their political ideology.”

The cleric also alluded to alleged efforts by a former governor of the state to foment instability for political advantage, though he did not provide specific evidence. He expressed the view that the current governor should not be held responsible for recent tensions and urged him to remain focused on governance and peacebuilding.

“Even before giving them the police, they are already killing people,” he said, apparently referring to the former governor. He added that it could be possible that he was the one who orchestrated his people (Berom youths) to attack innocent commuters on the road.

Jingir exonerated the present Governor, Mutfwang, saying: “In my own thinking, the governor does not have any hand in the crises. This new governor that became the governor (Mutfwang), was it the old governor that put him there? If the former one could make him become governor, then why did he not continue as governor?”

Despite his criticisms, Jingir reiterated the importance of peace and coexistence in Plateau, urging leaders across divides to avoid actions capable of reigniting crisis. He called on both Muslim and Christian communities to prioritise dialogue and mutual respect.

He prayed that the wickedness allegedly being planned against the present governor would be exposed and brought to shame. He urged the governor to continue working in the way of God and not allow anyone to intimidate him into actions that could bring crisis into the state.

Zagazola reports that political alignments in Plateau have undergone notable shifts in recent years, with cross-party movements and alliances reshaping the state’s landscape. Analysts note that such realignments often intensify rhetoric, particularly as stakeholders begin positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Plateau’s politics has historically reflected the state’s complex ethno-religious composition, especially in Jos North, where questions of indigeneship and political representation have shaped contestations for decades.

While the state has experienced relative calm compared to earlier periods of widespread violence, underlying tensions remain sensitive. Public statements by influential religious and political figures therefore carry significant weight in shaping public perception and intergroup relations.

Zagazola cautions that in a fragile environment, inflammatory or accusatory rhetoric regardless of source can heighten suspicion and polarisation, stressing the need for measured communication and fact-based engagement, particularly when discussing sensitive security reforms such as state policing.

As discussions on security restructuring continue at the national level, Plateau remains a microcosm of the broader debate: balancing local autonomy with safeguards against politicisation, while ensuring that peace and public trust are not compromised.

For many residents, the overriding concern remains stability. With political activities gradually building toward 2027, stakeholders say the tone and substance of public discourse will play a critical role in determining whether Plateau consolidates calm or re-enters a cycle of heightened tension.

Jingir Opposes State Police, Alleges Plot to Destabilise Plateau