Tension is once again rising in Plateau State following a deadly ambush in the Irigwe community, located in Bassa Local Government Area. The attack, which took place on Tuesday morning, left two civilians dead and a soldier injured. The victims were reportedly attacked by suspected gunmen believed to be Fulani militias.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement, Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, confirmed the incident, saying that three members of the Irigwe community were ambushed. “This morning, three of our people were ambushed by Fulani militias. Two died instantly, and one survived with bullet injuries and is currently hospitalised in an undisclosed location,” Yonkpa said.
The deceased have been identified as Adamu Bala, aged 38, and Gado Trra, aged 45. Their deaths have sparked fresh fears in the area, which has seen repeated outbreaks of violence in recent years.
In addition to the killings, over 20 farmlands were reportedly destroyed during the attack, raising fears that the violence could escalate into another round of retaliatory clashes between farming and herding communities.
Tuesday’s attack came just days after allegations surfaced from the Fulani community that over 300 cattle were rustled in Jouckchal, a village in Panyam district of Mangu Local Government Area. The cattle, according to the Fulani leaders, were stolen on April 22, 2025.
Musa Muhammad, Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Mangu LGA, accused youths from the Mwaghavul ethnic group of carrying out the raid. He said the attackers stormed the area at about 4:30 PM, firing gunshots as they rustled the animals.
“The cattle, over 300 belonging to three persons—including Jeji Boro with 130, Shagari Manu with 70, and Tambaya Jouckchal with 103—were taken by the attackers,” Muhammad stated. He also said that only five of the 300 stolen cattle have been recovered so far, despite efforts by security operatives under Operation Safe Haven, a multi-agency security task force deployed to maintain peace in the region.
The crisis between the Fulani herders and various indigenous farming communities in Plateau State, including the Irigwe and Mwaghavul, is part of a long-running conflict in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. The region has seen decades of violence tied to disputes over land, grazing rights, religious differences, and political control.
While the Fulani community often complains of cattle theft and deadly reprisals, the farming communities frequently accuse the herders of attacks, destruction of farmlands, and killings.
Responding to the allegations of cattle theft, Bulus Dabit, National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, denied that Mwaghavul youths were behind the rustling.
“I am just hearing about the incident. There are cattle rustlers all over the place. Criminals are found within every tribe, including the Fulani,” he said, calling for thorough investigations rather than blanket accusations that could trigger ethnic tension.
The latest incident has added to the atmosphere of suspicion and fear in Plateau State, where cycles of violence often lead to reprisals and prolonged unrest. Human rights groups, community leaders, and concerned citizens are urging both sides to avoid further violence and allow the security agencies to carry out proper investigations.
Local residents say the growing insecurity is affecting farming, schooling, and daily life. Many farmers have abandoned their lands for fear of attacks, while others now avoid travelling certain routes or going to markets.
Security operatives from Operation Safe Haven, which includes members of the Nigerian Army, Police, and Civil Defence, have increased patrols in the area. However, residents insist that more needs to be done to prevent future attacks and protect innocent lives.
Community leaders in Bassa and Mangu LGAs have called on the Plateau State Government and federal security agencies to step in immediately and prevent further escalation.
“This issue must be handled carefully and quickly,” one local elder said. “We cannot afford another round of killings and destruction. Government must act now to restore calm.”
There have been several peace dialogues in the past between farmers and herders in Plateau State, but many of these efforts have been short-lived due to renewed violence, lack of enforcement, and deep-rooted mistrust.
In a recent statement, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and security for all residents. He has repeatedly called for inter-community dialogue, justice for victims, and stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies.
Plateau State has long been a flashpoint for violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. In recent years, hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced due to clashes between herders and farmers. Entire villages have been destroyed, and many communities still live under the threat of renewed attacks.
International observers, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, have called for lasting solutions to the crisis, including reforms in land use laws, increased security presence in rural areas, and community-based peacebuilding initiatives.
