Fresh violence has shaken Plateau State following the killing of four young children in a reprisal attack in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. The children were reportedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen after their cows were allegedly rustled by local militias in the area.
Sources said the attack happened in the early hours of Thursday and was linked to earlier assaults on herders and the theft of cattle across several communities in Barkin Ladi, Jos East, and Riyom local government areas. The killings have further raised fears of renewed cycles of violence in a state that has witnessed years of communal clashes.
The victims were identified as Precious Joshuah, 17; Isaac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3. The children were said to be from the same community, and their deaths have thrown residents into mourning and deep shock.
According to a source familiar with the situation, the reprisal attack followed coordinated attacks on pastoral communities less than 48 hours earlier. During those attacks, armed men believed to be local militias reportedly opened fire on herders and made away with a large number of cows.
“On Wednesday evening, militia from Plateau rustled 137 cattle around Nding community in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area,” the source said. “Another 34 cattle were also driven away from Kukukah community in Jos East Local Government Area, with only three cows later returning.”
The source added that the situation worsened when nine cows reportedly died after grazing on poisoned substances around Kwi village in Riyom Local Government Area. This incident, which happened less than 24 hours after the cattle rustling, further increased tension among herders in the affected areas.
Residents said the atmosphere across Barkin Ladi and neighboring local government areas had been tense even before the attack on the children. Many communities were already living in fear due to rising cases of cattle theft, livestock poisoning, and threats of retaliation.
A community leader in Foron District, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the attack took place in Dorong area of the district. He said residents had earlier raised concerns about possible reprisals but felt helpless due to the slow response of authorities.
“The atmosphere has been tense since the cattle rustling incidents,” the community leader said. “People have been living in fear, and there were warnings that reprisals were imminent if nothing was done. Sadly, those fears have now materialised.”
Following the killings, security forces were deployed to the area to prevent further violence. Troops and other security operatives were said to be carrying out patrols in Foron District and surrounding communities to restore calm and protect lives and property.
The community leader called on the Plateau State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene by arresting those responsible for the attacks on both sides. He stressed that failure to act decisively could lead to more violence and loss of innocent lives.
“Without strong action, including holding people accountable for cattle rustling, livestock poisoning, and retaliatory attacks, Plateau State risks sinking deeper into another cycle of violence,” he warned. “It is always women and children who suffer the most.”
Plateau State has a long history of communal violence, often linked to disputes between farmers and herders. These conflicts are usually driven by competition over land, water, and grazing routes, as well as ethnic and religious differences. Over the years, thousands of people have been killed, and many communities displaced due to repeated clashes.
Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos East local government areas have been flashpoints of violence in the past. Attacks and counter-attacks between farming communities and pastoral groups have continued despite several peace efforts by the government and traditional leaders.
On the other hand, farming communities have also complained about attacks on their villages and farmlands, accusing armed herders of destroying crops and killing residents. These mutual accusations have deepened mistrust and made peace difficult to achieve.
In recent years, the Plateau State Government has introduced measures such as peace dialogues, community policing, and security operations to address the crisis. However, residents say these efforts have not been enough to stop the violence, especially in remote areas where security presence is weak.
Human rights groups have repeatedly called on the federal and state governments to address the root causes of the conflict. They say issues such as land ownership, grazing rights, unemployment, and weak law enforcement must be tackled to achieve lasting peace.
The killing of the four children has again drawn attention to the human cost of the crisis. Many residents and civil society groups have expressed concern that innocent children continue to pay the price for conflicts they have no part in.
As investigations continue, residents are hoping that the authorities will act swiftly to bring those responsible to justice and prevent further bloodshed. For now, fear remains high in the affected communities, with many families worried about possible new attacks.