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Why truth, not narratives, will end the killings in Plateau’s endless cycle of bloodshed
Why truth, not narratives, will end the killings in Plateau’s endless cycle of bloodshed
By Zagazola Makama
In Plateau State, the sound of gunfire is no longer shocking. It is expected. What follows each incident has also become predictable outrage, media attention, blames and accusations, as well as a rush to frame the tragedy within familiar narratives.
The latest reports of miners lynched by unknown gunmen have once again drawn national and international attention. Youth leaders, clerics, and advocacy groups are already describing the incident in sweeping terms, some branding it as genocide.
But beneath the headlines lies a more complicated and more troubling reality. Plateau is not witnessing isolated acts of violence. It is caught in a deeply entrenched cycle of reprisals, where attacks and counter-attacks have become the norm, and where truth is often buried beneath sentiment and selective narratives.
In the early hours of April 3, troops responded to a distress call from Sabongida village in Jos South Local Government Area. What they found was grim: the lifeless, beheaded body of a 30-year-old herder, identified as Shafiyu, lying in the bush. Security sources indicated that the killing was allegedly carried out by suspected Berom youths. Before the shock of that incident could settle, retaliation came swiftly.
Later that same day, armed men attacked an illegal mining site in Gyel village, Riyom Local Government Area. Three miners, including Samuel Davou, were killed in cold blood, while others fled for safety as troops moved in to secure the area. What might appear as separate incidents are, in reality, part of a continuous chain of violence, one feeding directly into the other.
Across Plateau, recent events reveal a troubling pattern that has defined the conflict for years.
On March 25, the body of Abdullahi Mohammed , a Fulani boy, was discovered in a shallow grave in Mangu Local Government Area, raising suspicions of targeted killing. On the same day in Riyom, irrigation farms belonging to several farmers were destroyed, by Fulani herdsmen, an act capable of provoking immediate retaliation.
Three days later, on March 28, gunmen assassinated Alhaji Bilyaminu Julde, a prominent Fulani community leader and Ardo of Gindiri, in Barkin Ladi. The attack, carried out at his residence, sent ignited tensions through the Fulani community and set off alarm bells across the state.
That same day, another flashpoint emerged in Riyom, where stray cattle destroyed farmlands in Tahoss village an incident that further strained relations between farmers and herders.
By April 2, violence had escalated again. In Bokkos Local Government Area, troops foiled an attack by suspected armed herders following a clash with vigilantes over grazing disputes. One vigilante sustained gunshot injuries.
Then came April 3, a day that encapsulated the crisis. Aside from the killing of the herder in Sabongida and the retaliatory attack on miners in Gyel, more killing were reported in Jos South.
On the same day, troops in Barkin Ladi recovered suspected rustled cattle reportedly taken by the Birom armed militia, while in Riyom, another Fulani youth was allegedly killed in an isolated attack. Each of these incidents is not just an entry in a security log. They are links in a chain, each one strengthening the justification for the next.
The Plateau conflict has increasingly been framed through singular lenses, often ethnic or religious. While these dimensions exist, they do not fully capture the complexity of what is happening on the ground. What emerges from security reports and field accounts is a cycle of reciprocal violence involving armed elements across communities. Fulani herders have been attacked and killed. Berom farmers and miners have also been targeted in deadly reprisals.
Yet, public discourse often pointing fongers only one side of the suffering.
This selective framing creates a dangerous distortion. It fuels anger, deepens divisions, and makes reconciliation even more difficult. More importantly, it prevents a clear understanding of the crisis one that is essential for any meaningful solution.
As observed by Simon Kolawole, the conflict has become a cycle of “attacks and counter-attacks, reprisals and counter-reprisals.”
In such an environment, violence becomes normalized. Communities begin to see retaliation not as a crime, but as justice.
Without accountability, peace remains elusive,”he said in his latest article, titled The Killing fields in plateau State.
In Plateau State, the search for peace has become a long, uncertain journey with no immediate destination in sight. Despite sustained military deployments and repeated calls for calm, deadly attacks continue to rage across communities, reinforcing a grim reality: this is a conflict deeply rooted in cycles of violence, mistrust, and silence.
For many residents, the first instinct after every attack is to look toward the government, Security forces and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Questions are asked why were the troops not there? Why was the intelligence not acted upon? Why are communities left exposed?
These concerns are valid. The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Yet, beneath these criticisms lies a difficult truth that is often left unspoken. In many cases, the same communities that demand protection are unwilling to confront the problem from within.
Across flashpoints in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu, patterns have consistent which suggest that perpetrators of violence are not faceless outsiders operating in isolation. They are often known by name, by face, by affiliation. But they are rarely exposed. Instead, a culture of silence prevails. Fear, loyalty, and sometimes complicity prevent communities from identifying or handing over those responsible for attacks.
This silence creates a protective shield around perpetrators, allowing them to strike repeatedly without consequences. The result is a dangerous cycle: attacks occur, blame is assigned externally, and the real actors remain embedded within the communities.
There have been instances where youth leaders publicly blamed Fulani groups for atrocities even in cases where the victims themselves were Fulani. Such claims stretch logic and risk undermining credibility. The argument that a group would attack itself, rustle or poison its own livestock, and transport it into rival territory solely to assign blame raises fundamental questions.
While misinformation is a powerful tool in conflict, it cannot fully explain away patterns that are repeatedly documented by security agencies. These narratives, rather than promoting justice, deepen mistrust and inflame passions, making reconciliation more difficult.
This cycle has blurred the lines between victim and aggressor. Communities that mourn their dead today may be accused of launching attacks tomorrow. In such an environment, truth becomes contested, and justice becomes subjective. A herder is killed, reprisal follows.
Miners are attacked, revenge is planned.
Cattle are rustled, retaliation is inevitable. Each incident becomes both consequence and justification.
Intelligence gathering, the backbone of effective security operations depends heavily on local input. When communities withhold information, protect suspects, or distort facts, security agencies are left to operate in the dark.
This creates gaps that perpetrators exploit.
Blaming the government alone, without acknowledging this dynamic, presents an incomplete picture of the crisis.
Security forces have remained active, responding to distress calls, conducting patrols, and attempting to stabilize volatile areas. Yet, their presence has not been enough to stop the killings. The reality is that no amount of military deployment can fully secure a population that is unwilling to cooperate.
One of the most dangerous drivers of the conflict is impunity. For decades, perpetrators of violence in Plateau have rarely been brought to justice. Killings are recorded, condemned, and eventually forgotten until the next incident occurs.
Community, religious and youths leaders, who should serve as stabilizing forces, are increasingly unable to control armed youth groups. Such interventions are rare and often overshadowed by more powerful forces of anger and revenge. In many cases the leaders are the once directly fueling the crises and encouraging the youths to take up arms to carry out reprisals attacks.
The nature of the Plateau conflict makes it resistant to purely military solutions. This is not a conventional war with clear battle lines. It is a fragmented conflict driven by local grievances, economic competition, and historical mistrust.
Calls for heavy-handed interventions, including suggestions of foreign military involvement, fail to recognize this reality. Force alone cannot resolve a conflict that is rooted in social and communal dynamics.
If Plateau is to break free from this cycle, the first step must be honesty. The violence must be acknowledged for what it is a series of interconnected attacks involving multiple actors, not a one-sided campaign. Only then can meaningful solutions emerge.
This is not just a story of victims and aggressors. It is a story of a society caught in a loop of vengeance, where yesterday’s victim can become today’s perpetrator. Until the truth is confronted in its entirety without bias, without omission peace will remain elusive.
The government must move beyond reactive security measures and take decisive steps to address the root causes of the conflict. This includes ensuring accountability, strengthening intelligence capabilities, and facilitating genuine dialogue among communities.Equally important is the role of local leaders. They must rise above partisan interests and work actively to restrain their followers, promote peace, and reject all forms of violence regardless of who commits them.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
Why truth, not narratives, will end the killings in Plateau’s endless cycle of bloodshed
AMF Celebrate the African Child: Building Foundations for Dreams, Learning, and Leadership
By Comrade Philip Ikodor
The Ashlee Momoh Foundation today joined the global community to commemorate the International Day of the African Child, reaffirming its commitment to the safety, education, and empowerment of children across the continent.
In a statement issued to the media, the Founder and Lead, Princess Ashlee Omonegbo Momoh, said the Foundation stands firmly behind efforts to help every African child reach their full potential.
“While we celebrate the vibrancy, brilliance, and resilience of African children, we must also confront the systemic barriers that still limit their growth,” Princess Momoh stated.
Key Challenges Facing the African Child Today:
- Education Gaps: Millions lack access to quality education, digital literacy, and inclusive learning environments.
- Socio-Economic Barriers: Pervasive poverty drives child labor and denies many children basic healthcare, nutrition, and stable housing.
- Security and Instability: Armed conflict and community violence continue to threaten the safety, mental health, and future of children in vulnerable and military-affected communities.
AMF’s Call to Action:
To truly empower the African child, stakeholders must shift from short-term relief to sustainable, localized investment. The Foundation calls on governments, civil society, and private sector partners to collaborate in:
- Building safer, child-friendly communities
- Subsidizing healthcare and expanding access to quality education, including digital skills
- Creating inclusive learning spaces that protect children from conflict and displacement
“Every child deserves a secure foundation to dream, learn, and lead. At the Ashlee Momoh Foundation, we remain committed to building that foundation — together,” Princess Momoh added.
The Ashlee Momoh Foundation is a Nigeria-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing child welfare, education, and empowerment across Africa through sustainable programs, advocacy, and strategic partnerships.
AMF Celebrate the African Child: Building Foundations for Dreams, Learning, and Leadership
A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Power Sector: Minister Tegbe’s Brilliant Start
By: Lateef O. AREMU
Just few days into his tenure, Nigeria’s new Minister of Power, Engineer Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has already begun to illuminate the path towards a more stable and efficient electricity supply for the nation. Sworn into office on June 9, 2026, Minister Tegbe’s initial pronouncements and decisive actions reflect a profound understanding of the sector’s complexities, a testament to his distinguished professional background, intellectual brilliance and clear demonstration of the understanding of the task ahead. The minister unlike many before him did not over simplify the task at hand. He acknowledged the challenges and meticulous outlined the approaches towards finding solutions to the problem. He is not promising immediate miracle, but steady growth and measurable efforts towards achieving the set goals.
Minister Tegbe arrives at the helm of the Power Ministry with an impressive pedigree. A former Senior Partner and Head of Technology Advisory Services and Markets at KPMG Professional Services in Nigeria and across Africa, he has a proven track record of leading major reform initiatives, developing robust governance structures, and navigating intricate regulatory frameworks. His extensive experience in advisory services, coupled with his qualifications as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCIT), positions him uniquely to tackle the multifaceted challenges plaguing Nigeria’s power sector.
In his inaugural engagements, Minister Tegbe wasted no time in outlining a clear vision. He pledged to strengthen collaboration, improve governance, and enhance accountabilityacross the entire electricity value chain. This emphasis on systemic improvements, rather than solely technical fixes, directly mirrors his background in advisory and governance. His insight that
many of the sector’s challenges are rooted in governance and coordination rather than purely technical issues is a direct reflection of his strategic thinking honed at KPMG, where he led advisory services focused on governance and regulatory frameworks.
One of his immediate and commendable actions was to rally Chief Executive Officers and Heads of Agencies and Parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Power. During this crucial meeting, Minister Tegbe underscored the necessity of a unified and coordinated approach among all stakeholders to achieve the administration’s goals for the Power Sector. This call for synergy, urging stakeholders to operate as “one team with one mandate” is a pragmatic approach to a sector historically plagued by siloed operations and a lack of cohesive strategy. His ability to quickly identify and address this fundamental organizational challenge speaks volumes about his leadership and analytical prowess.
Furthermore, Minister Tegbe has already demonstrated a commitment to tangible results. He commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for its prompt response to a recent feeder outage, which was resolved within the timeframe he directed. This swift restoration of supply, which he noted was reported directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlights his dedication to urgency and service delivery, a quality that will undoubtedly instill confidence in both the public and sector operators.
Looking ahead, the Minister disclosed plans to introduce a performance-based incentive framework across the power sector to reward productivity, innovation, and excellence. This initiative is a clear demonstration of his understanding of motivational strategies and his commitment to fostering a culture of accountability and efficiency. This is the kind of principles often championed in top-tier consulting firms like KPMG. Such a framework is designed to drive continuous improvement and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned with the overarching objective of enhancing electricity supply.
In just a few short days, Engineer Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe has not only articulated a clear vision for Nigeria’s power sector but has also initiated concrete steps towards its realization. His blend of deep technical understanding, strategic leadership, and a commitment to good governance, all honed through years of high-level advisory work, positions him as a transformative figure.
As Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe assumes the role of Nigeria’s minister of power, Nigerians can look forward to a future where the brilliance of their Minister of Power translates into a consistently brighter and more reliable electricity supply.
With Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe at the helms of affairs in the power sector in Nigeria, Nigeria can rest asuured that “there is light at the end of the tunnel”
Lateef O. AREMU (Akano Gudugba)
S3 /706D
Odo-Ada Compound,
Oke-Eleta, Ibadan
08162994660
akanoola@gmail.com
A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Power Sector: Minister Tegbe’s Brilliant Start
NDLEA Sells Drug Barons’ Assets for N6.1bn, Sends Warning to Criminal Networks
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dealt a major financial blow to drug trafficking syndicates, raising over N6.1 billion from the auction of properties confiscated from convicted drug kingpins across the country.
The assets, which include a six-storey luxury hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, and three other high-value properties, were forfeited to the federal government following court orders obtained under Nigeria’s asset recovery laws.
The Victoria Island hotel accounted for the bulk of the proceeds, attracting a winning bid of N5.9 billion during a public auction conducted in Abuja on Monday. Altogether, four properties were successfully sold, while bids submitted for four others fell below the approved reserve prices and were consequently rejected.
The exercise marked one of the most significant asset recovery auctions conducted by the anti-narcotics agency in recent years and underscores a growing determination by authorities to target not only drug traffickers but also the wealth accumulated from illicit activities.
Announcing the results, the Head of Asset Recovery and Management Unit at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Tamarantare Francis Ali-Bozi, disclosed that Tope Ojo and Tunde Olonishakin Estate Firm emerged the successful bidder for the Victoria Island hotel.
Other successful bidders included FSS Limited, which secured a property in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, with an offer of N219.5 million; A-BNB Global Innovations Limited, which won a block of flats in Ejigbo, Lagos, for N104 million; and Fazeen Global Link Limited, which acquired a property in Akure, Ondo State, for N29.36 million.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), declared that the auction represented more than a revenue-generating exercise, describing it as a strategic weapon in the fight against organised crime.
Represented by the agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, Marwa said the disposal of recovered assets sends a strong signal that individuals involved in the illicit drug trade would not be allowed to retain or benefit from the proceeds of their crimes.
He noted that public auctions of forfeited assets help reinforce public trust in the justice system by demonstrating transparency and accountability in the management of recovered properties.
According to him, the agency remains committed to tracking, recovering and disposing of criminal assets in a manner that serves the public interest while strengthening Nigeria’s asset recovery framework.
“We shall continue to pursue drug traffickers, dismantle criminal networks, recover the proceeds of crime and uphold the rule of law without fear or favour,” he stated.
Marwa also stressed that extensive safeguards were put in place to guarantee the integrity of the process. He said all assets were professionally valued by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, while auctioneers engaged for the exercise were screened and pre-qualified through procedures approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement.
The NDLEA boss added that representatives of anti-corruption agencies, civil society organisations, the media and members of the public were invited to witness the bid-opening exercise in order to ensure transparency and public confidence.
He maintained that the auction was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and other relevant regulations.
Analysts say the successful sale of the forfeited properties highlights a growing shift in Nigeria’s anti-drug strategy from merely arresting traffickers to systematically dismantling the financial foundations of criminal enterprises.
For law enforcement authorities, the message is unmistakable: drug trafficking may generate vast fortunes, but those fortunes can ultimately be traced, seized and converted into public assets.
NDLEA Sells Drug Barons’ Assets for N6.1bn, Sends Warning to Criminal Networks
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