Displaced people from several communities in Plateau State have cried out to the state government, pleading for immediate action to return them to their ancestral homes which they fled following violent attacks by armed Fulani militias.
Speaking through a youth group known as the Concerned Mushere Youth Vanguard (CMYV), the affected communities said they have been living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps for over four months, while the attackers have taken over their homes and farmlands.
The CMYV made this appeal during a press conference held in Jos on Saturday. They called on Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to fulfill his promise to help the people return home and reclaim their land.
The Chairman of the group, Mr. John Bitrus, who spoke on behalf of the displaced persons, expressed deep disappointment that despite the governor’s promise, no steps have been taken to resettle the victims or secure their communities.
“Our people have been suffering for over four months now. They are not in their homes. Some are in IDP camps, some are squatting with relatives in nearby villages,” Bitrus said.
“What is even more painful is that those who attacked us have now occupied our homes. They are grazing their cattle on our farms and have even renamed some of our villages. And nothing has been done about it,” he added.
The communities affected, all in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area, include Hokk, Kaban, Kadim, Nawula, Dulu, Mbor, and Margif.
Bitrus said these villages were invaded by heavily armed Fulani militias who killed many residents and forced thousands to flee for their lives.
According to him, the attackers now move freely around the communities with guns and other dangerous weapons, threatening anyone who tries to return.
“These people have turned our villages into their own settlements. They are moving around freely with weapons and no one is stopping them. They’ve even built their tents and are living in our houses,” he said.
Bitrus also raised concerns about the safety and wellbeing of the displaced people, especially women and children, many of whom are now facing harsh living conditions in overcrowded IDP camps.
He described the situation as “pathetic” and warned that unless the government acts fast, the people may lose hope entirely.
“We have been abandoned. People are suffering. Our children can’t go to school. Farmers can’t go to farm. There is hunger. There is trauma. There is fear,” he said.
“We are using this opportunity to plead with Governor Caleb Mutfwang. He promised to return our people to their homes, but nothing has happened since then. Please, we are begging him to fulfill his promise,” Bitrus appealed.
The CMYV also called on security agencies to step in and secure the occupied villages, noting that the invaders must be dislodged before the displaced residents can safely return.
They expressed fear that if nothing is done soon, the original owners of the land may lose it permanently, as the Fulani settlers have reportedly started changing the names of the villages and farming on the lands.
The group emphasized that the situation is not just about land but about the survival of their people, culture, and heritage.
They urged both the federal and state governments to take the matter seriously and provide adequate security to protect the returning residents.
This situation is part of a broader crisis that has affected many communities across Plateau State in recent years. Clashes between armed herdsmen and local farmers have led to thousands of deaths, destruction of property, and displacement of entire communities.
In Bokkos, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and other parts of the state, repeated attacks by suspected Fulani militias have left residents living in fear. Many have accused the government and security agencies of not doing enough to stop the violence or bring the perpetrators to justice.
During his campaign and after assuming office, Governor Mutfwang promised to prioritize the return and resettlement of displaced persons in Plateau State. However, groups like CMYV say those promises are yet to be fulfilled.
The people of Mushere Chiefdom now say they are tired of waiting and want immediate action.
“We don’t want to live in IDP camps anymore. That is not our home. We want to go back. We want to farm. We want our children to go to school. We want our lives back,” Bitrus concluded.
As the rainy season continues, many displaced farmers are missing out on the farming season, deepening fears of food shortages and economic hardship in the months ahead.
The people are now calling on the Plateau State Government and relevant authorities to act urgently to restore peace and justice in the affected communities.
