For nearly two weeks, Plateau State experienced what many residents described as a rare period of relative calm as political parties across Nigeria conducted their primaries for elective positions ahead of the next general elections.
From the presidential race to contests for seats in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, politicians and party faithful were preoccupied with campaigns, consultations and voting exercises.
Plateau, a state that has endured recurring attacks, killings and displacement for almost two decades, was not left out of the political activities. Yet, amid the heightened political engagements, incidents of violence appeared to reduce in several troubled communities, offering residents a brief respite from the insecurity that has become a painful feature of daily life.
However, as soon as the primaries concluded, the fragile calm was shattered by fresh attacks in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas, leaving more deaths, destroyed farmlands and renewed fears that the state has once again returned to its cycle of violence.
The latest attacks have strengthened claims by some community members that the killings reduced during the period of the party primaries but resumed shortly after the exercise ended. While the assertion has not been independently verified, the timing of the renewed violence has become a major source of concern among residents who continue to question why peace remains elusive despite repeated assurances by successive governments and security agencies.
The fresh wave of attacks drew condemnation from the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), which described the incidents as further evidence of the persistent insecurity confronting communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas.
In a statement signed by Rwang Tengwong, its National Publicity Secretary and made available to journalists in Jos, the association lamented the continued killings, destruction of farmlands and other forms of violence affecting rural communities.
“BYM strongly condemns the continued killings, attacks, destruction of farmlands, sexual harassment of women, and cattle rustling across communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State,” the statement said.
The group disclosed that the latest attack claimed the life of 52-year-old Joshua Bulus of Dyan community in Rim Village, Riyom Local Government Area.
According to the association, Bulus was allegedly attacked and killed by armed men reportedly grazing cattle a few metres away from the community. The incident, it said, was accompanied by the destruction of several hectares of cultivated farmland in Barkin Ladi, further worsening the plight of local farmers already struggling with insecurity and economic hardship.
“The latest incident is the killing of 52-year-old Joshua Bulus of Dyan community in Rim Village, Riyom LGA, who was attacked and killed by armed terrorists reportedly grazing cattle a few metres away from the community.
Also disturbing is the overnight destruction of about-to-be-harvested cabbage and carrot farms covering about five hectares in Gassa community of Ropp District, Barkin Ladi LGA,” it added.
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For farming communities across Plateau, the destruction of crops is often as devastating as the loss of lives. Agriculture remains the primary source of income for thousands of families, and attacks on farmlands directly threaten food security and household survival.
Residents of Gassa community said the destroyed cabbage and carrot farms were almost ready for harvest, meaning months of hard work and investment disappeared overnight.
The association noted that the incidents occurred barely two days after another deadly attack in Gwom-Ajang village of Foron District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where several persons were killed and others critically injured.
According to BYM, the attacks happened despite recent assurances and directives issued by Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau State governor following his visits to communities affected by attacks in Barkin Ladi and Bassa local government areas.
The group expressed concern that Plateau communities have endured attacks for more than two decades, leaving residents exposed to killings, intimidation, destruction of farms and harassment on rural roads.
It further cited the alleged assault and sexual harassment of women returning from farms in Ganawuri District, the attack on Bot Yakubu in Gassa and the rustling of livestock belonging to Iliya Dongo in Tahoss as additional evidence of what it described as a worsening security situation.
The association called on security agencies and governments at all levels to move beyond routine condemnations and take decisive measures to end the violence, protect vulnerable communities and preserve livelihoods.
It also expressed solidarity with victims and urged residents to remain vigilant while supporting lawful efforts aimed at restoring peace and security.
The killing of Joshua Bulus came amid lingering shock over another deadly attack that occurred in Gwon-Ajang village of Foron District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
According to community sources, the attack happened at about 10 p.m. on Sunday when gunmen stormed a birthday celebration and opened fire on residents.
Witnesses said the assailants arrived unexpectedly and began shooting indiscriminately, forcing terrified villagers to flee into the darkness.
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Bishop IIiya, a youth from the community recounted the horror of the incident, saying residents had gathered peacefully for a birthday celebration when the attackers struck.
“They arrived and started shooting at everything in sight. It is a painful and unfortunate situation for our community,” he said.
The Berom Youths Moulder-Association also confirmed the attack, describing the assailants as “armed terrorists” and stating that at least eight people were killed while more than 10 others sustained severe injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Tengwom, its National Publicity Secretary, expressed concern over what he described as renewed violence and called on security agencies to take urgent action to halt the attacks and ensure justice for the victims.
The Plateau State Police Command, however, provided a lower casualty figure.
Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations confirmed that five persons died in the attack.
He said officers attached to the Gindiri Division received a distress call at about 9:22 p.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene.
“When our men got there, they met some persons in pools of their blood. As I speak to you, five of them were confirmed dead,” he said.
Alabo explained that the location of the attack, situated between Mangu and Barkin Ladi local government areas, often creates confusion regarding the exact place where incidents occur.
He added that the Commissioner of Police had directed senior officers to relocate to the area to restore calm and strengthen security presence.
According to him, joint operations involving security personnel under Operation Enduring Peace were already underway.
“We are looking forward to making some arrests because we have good intel,” he said.
While investigations continue and patrols have been intensified across affected communities, the return of violence after the political party primaries has once again highlighted the deep-rooted security challenges facing Plateau State.
For many residents, the brief calm experienced during the political exercise now appears to have been only a temporary pause in a conflict that has persisted for nearly 20 years.
As families bury loved ones, tend to the injured and assess losses from destroyed farms, growing numbers of residents are demanding more than promises. They want effective security measures capable of ending the killings, protecting lives and restoring confidence in communities that have spent decades living under the shadow of violence.
Until that happens, the latest attacks in Riyom and Barkin Ladi stand as another grim reminder that despite years of interventions, Plateau’s search for lasting peace remains unfinished.
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