Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has declared the recent killings in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State as acts of terrorism, challenging the popular narrative of a longstanding farmer-herder conflict. Dalung’s remarks come in the wake of violent attacks that have shaken the region, including the deadly assault on the Ruwi community just a week ago, where mourners were targeted during a burial ceremony.
In a live broadcast yesterday, Dalung stated that the violence in the area goes beyond traditional ethnic or community-based disputes. He argued that the killings were orchestrated by organized terrorist groups, which, like their counterparts in the Northeast, are engaged in cattle rustling, land seizures, and the establishment of parallel governance structures in remote areas.
“Mislabeling these criminals as farmers or herders is a grave mistake,” Dalung emphasized. “What we are witnessing here is not a farmer-herder crisis; it is a clear case of terrorism.”
Dalung’s comments add a new layer of complexity to the already volatile situation in Plateau, where the recent wave of violence has led to more than 40 deaths, the destruction of hundreds of homes, and the displacement of over 1,000 residents. Local authorities, including Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, have condemned the attacks as well-coordinated criminal acts rather than a simple ethnic or agricultural dispute.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, convened a peace meeting in Bokkos yesterday, bringing together local stakeholders to address the escalating security concerns. The meeting, which was part of a broader non-kinetic approach to fostering peace in the region, aimed to strengthen the resolve of residents to embrace tolerance, cooperation, and mutual understanding.
Addressing the gathering, Oluyede assured the residents that the military would remain neutral and professional in its operations, stressing the importance of collaboration between the local population and security forces to combat the growing threat.
The COAS’s intervention follows a wave of violent attacks that began on April 2, with gunmen targeting several villages within the council area, including Hurti, Ruwi, and Daffo. The attacks have left communities devastated and deeply concerned about the future security of the region.
Maj.-Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), expressed his gratitude for the peace talks and vowed that security agencies would work together to ensure a peaceful farming season. He also reiterated the importance of safeguarding the livelihoods of the displaced population.
The District Head of Manguna, Alo Raymond, pointed to the recurring attacks as part of a broader land-grabbing scheme, calling for a stronger security presence in the area. He also appealed to the government to provide support for the displaced residents, who have been left in dire conditions.
In a dramatic twist, the convoy of Plateau State’s Secretary to the Government, Samuel Jatau, narrowly escaped an ambush on Sunday by suspected terrorists near the Hurti community. The attack, which occurred as Jatau was en route to represent the governor in Bokkos, highlights the growing danger posed by these armed groups operating in the region.
In response to the escalating violence, the League of Northern Democrats (LND) has called for urgent and radical security measures. In a statement, spokesperson Dr. Ladan Salihu described the attack as a “dent in our humanity” and warned that without decisive action, Plateau could become the new epicenter of violence in Nigeria.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of these attacks, there is an increasing call for both local and national authorities to take swift and decisive action to restore peace and stability to Plateau State. The situation remains fluid, with tensions high and the security situation continuing to deteriorate.