PLATEAU FULANI COMMUNITY SOUNDS ALARM OVER ETHNIC MILITIA ATTACKS, CALLS FOR AWARENESS
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Fulani community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State has raised concerns over a series of attacks targeting herdsmen, including cattle theft and poisoning, carried out by ethnic militia groups masquerading as local vigilantes.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Abdullahi Yusuf, a representative of the Fulani community in the council, described the attacks as a worrying pattern aimed at provoking herdsmen into retaliation, which could then be used to label them as aggressors unwilling to live peacefully with other communities in the state.
Yusuf cited an unprovoked attack on Monday, February 2, where a group he identified as “Berom Militias” allegedly opened fire on herders peacefully grazing their cattle. During the incident, several cows were stolen from Weren Camp, while three others were reportedly poisoned in Kwi district of the LGA.
“Innocent Fulani herdsmen have become targets of ethnic militias in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, and no one is talking about these attacks,” Yusuf said.
He added, “These attacks follow a pattern: the militias trace herders to their grazing areas, open fire on them, and steal their cattle when they flee for safety. Another disturbing aspect is the deliberate poisoning of our cows, which are our primary source of livelihood.”
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Yusuf explained that the Fulani community has consistently urged its members to remain calm and let security agencies handle the situation, but said their restraint has been taken for granted.
“The latest incident in Kwi Village is not isolated. The community is becoming notorious for cattle poisoning, with repeated attacks undermining the safety of pastoralists and their families,” he said.
He warned that the coordinated targeting of herders and livestock threatens to destabilize Plateau communities. “Failure to address these threats decisively risks normalizing violence, increasing civilian casualties, and entrenching armed militias as de facto security actors,” Yusuf added.
Condemning the attacks as “criminal, unacceptable, and a serious threat to peaceful coexistence,” Yusuf called on relevant security agencies to investigate, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure justice.
He also urged the Plateau State Government to implement proactive measures to safeguard lives, property, and livestock in the affected areas.
“We therefore call for urgent joint security measures, including sustained patrols, intelligence-led interdiction of militia cells, and decisive disruption of cattle rustling and poisoning networks to prevent further deterioration of the security situation in Plateau State,” Yusuf concluded.
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