At least seven farmers have been killed in a fresh attack in Bum community, located in the Chugwi area of Vwang District, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The incident, which occurred late on Wednesday night, has heightened fears of renewed reprisal violence in the state.
Local sources said the attackers struck around 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, when most residents were already asleep. The assailants reportedly moved quietly into the community, attacking victims in their homes and on nearby farmlands before fleeing the area.
By Thursday morning, the bodies of seven farmers had been recovered, while search and rescue efforts continued in surrounding bushes and farmlands where some residents were believed to have fled during the attack.
The attack was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM), Mr. Rwang Tengwong. He said the situation in the community remained tense, with residents living in fear of further violence.
“Seven bodies have so far been recovered, and search operations are still ongoing,” Tengwong said. “This attack happened despite earlier security alerts warning that some communities in Jos South Local Government Area were under threat.”
He added that the incident in Bum community was part of a growing pattern of attacks on rural communities in Plateau State.
“Sadly, Bum community has now fallen victim to this renewed wave of violence, adding to the growing list of assaults on innocent rural communities in Plateau State,” he said.
Residents and community leaders expressed concern that the attack occurred despite warnings from security sources that certain areas in Jos South were at risk. According to Tengwong, local communities had been alerted earlier about possible attacks, but many residents said they saw no visible increase in security presence before the incident.
Some locals said fear and uncertainty had already forced farmers to reduce visits to their farmlands in recent weeks. Others said they stayed awake in shifts at night to watch over their communities, though this was not enough to prevent the attack.
Security sources believe the killings in Bum are connected to a cycle of reprisal attacks that has been escalating across Plateau State, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Jos East, Riyom, and Jos South local government areas.
The violence is said to involve long-standing tensions between farming communities and pastoral groups, which have often resulted in deadly clashes over land use, grazing routes, cattle theft, and access to natural resources.
According to security officials, the Bum attack may be linked to recent violent incidents earlier in December that triggered anger and revenge attacks on both sides.
One of the key incidents believed to have sparked the latest violence occurred on December 27, 2025. On that day, five Fulani youths were shot near Con Filling Station along Bukuru Express Road, close to Angle D in Jos South Local Government Area.
The victims were identified as Abubakar Aji, Idi Saleh, Sulaiman, Nura Muhammad Detta, and Dabo Abubakar. They were reportedly returning from Bukuru Cattle Market when their vehicle came under gunfire.
Sources said gunmen suspected to be members of a local militia opened fire on the vehicle, leaving the five youths with critical injuries. They were rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.
The incident caused outrage among Fulani communities across the state and raised fears of retaliation.
Reacting to the December 27 shooting, the Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, strongly condemned the attack.
He described it as part of a repeated pattern of violence against Fulani travellers and pastoral communities in Plateau State.
“This is not the first time Fulani people are being attacked while travelling on major roads,” Yusuf said. “We are calling on security agencies to investigate this incident fully and to provide better security on highways and commercial routes.”
MACBAN also warned that failure to address such attacks could lead to more violence, as affected communities may resort to self-help.
Security officials also pointed to another major incident earlier in the month that worsened tensions in the state. On December 16, 2025, gunmen attacked an illegal mining site in Tosho community, Fann District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
During that attack, 12 miners were killed and three others abducted. According to reports, the attackers had earlier demanded information about the whereabouts of 171 cattle that were allegedly stolen from Nding community on December 10.
When the miners could not provide the information, the gunmen reportedly opened fire. The attack shocked residents and further deepened mistrust between communities.
Following the killings in Bum, residents in nearby villages have expressed fear of further reprisals. Many farmers are now afraid to go to their farms, while others are considering relocating temporarily to safer areas.
Community leaders have appealed to the government to increase security patrols, especially at night, and to act on early warning signs before violence breaks out.
Women and children are said to be the most affected, as families struggle with displacement, loss of breadwinners, and uncertainty about their safety.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not issued a detailed public statement on the Bum killings. However, sources said security operatives had been deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Residents said the lack of clear information from authorities has added to their fear, as rumours of planned reprisals continue to spread.
Plateau State has experienced cycles of violence for more than two decades, often linked to disputes over land ownership, farming and grazing rights, and ethnic and religious differences. Despite several peace efforts and security operations, attacks and reprisals have continued to occur.
Community leaders, civil society groups, and residents are calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stop the violence. They want thorough investigations into recent attacks, arrests of those responsible, and stronger security presence in vulnerable communities.