The Fulani community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State has called for urgent intervention by government and security agencies following what it describes as a series of unprovoked attacks on its members by local youths.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 3, 2025, the group expressed deep concern over continued violence targeting Fulani herders in the area, particularly pointing to a recent incident in Rim community.
According to Abdullahi Yusuf, Secretary of the Fulani community in Riyom, a Fulani herder, Aliyu Sale Shehu, was shot by suspected Berom youths on Thursday, October 2, around 4pm. The attack, which occurred in Rim Ward, also led to the killing of one cow and injuries to eight others.
“The Fulani community in Riyom Local Government Area wishes to draw the attention of the public to yet another unprovoked attack on our people,” the statement began. “At about 4pm on Thursday, 2nd October, 2025, suspected Berom youths attacked a Fulani herder, Aliyu Sale Shehu, leaving him with gunshot injuries.”
Yusuf described the attack as part of a wider pattern of violence and harassment against Fulani herders in the region. He said herders have continued to suffer physical assaults, destruction of property, and the killing of their livestock, all without consequences for the attackers.
He stressed that despite numerous cases, there has been no visible action from the government or community leaders. “Since the Thursday attack on Sale, there has been no statement, no action, and no justice from the government or community leaders. The silence only emboldens the attackers and increases the suffering of innocent Fulani herders,” the statement read.
The Fulani community fears that if such attacks continue without government intervention, it could escalate tensions and lead to further crisis in the area. Yusuf warned that the ongoing silence could trigger retaliatory violence, which might spiral into a larger conflict.
“They will attack our people mercilessly and if some of the affected herders decide to fight back, they will be tagged bandits and aggressors,” Yusuf lamented.
He called on the Plateau State Government, the security agencies, and traditional rulers to immediately intervene and ensure that peace is restored in the area. “We demand urgent intervention from security agencies and call on the Plateau State Government to speak up and act before these unprovoked hostilities push the area into further crisis.”
Yusuf concluded the statement with a strong message: “The Fulani are equal citizens of Riyom and Plateau State, and our lives and properties must be protected. Enough is Enough.”
Plateau State has witnessed frequent clashes between Fulani herders and indigenous farming communities, especially in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and Bassa LGAs. While the herders often accuse local youths of attacking them and stealing or killing their cattle, the indigenous communities also claim that Fulani herders invade farms and sometimes attack villagers.
This latest development adds to concerns about the fragile peace in Plateau State, which has been a hotspot for communal violence over the past two decades.
