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Economic, humanitarian strain deepen in Plateau as fresh attacks displace thousands


The wave of renewed terror attacks sweeping across Nigeria’s northern region has particularly devastated Plateau State, where armed assailants have taken control of 64 communities, displacing thousands and plunging residents into despair.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State confirmed the dire situation on Tuesday, stating that the affected areas had been overrun by hoodlums. The violence, he said, had forced over 6,000 residents to seek shelter in churches and religious centers across the state.

Recent attacks in the Bokkos Local Government Area left at least 52 people dead and hundreds more injured. Communities in Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and Manguna bore the brunt of the violence on April 2, with survivors recounting chilling tales of destruction and displacement.

About 383 houses were burned down in Bokkos alone, with more than 1,800 people forced to flee their homes in search of safety.

Religious buildings have become makeshift shelters for the displaced. St. Thomas Catholic Church alone hosts over 2,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), including hundreds from the ravaged Daffo community.

Similarly, about 4,000 displaced individuals are camping in the ECWA Church located in Hurti. Most of them are surviving on donations, sleeping on bare floors, and facing dire shortages of food and basic amenities.

Farmasum Fuddang, chairman Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) in a statement lamented the deteriorating situation. “Many of the IDPs are sleeping without mattresses, food is scarce, and farm tools and food reserves have been destroyed by the attackers,” he said.

He added that some communities, such as Josho and Ganda, have been completely overtaken by herdsmen militias, making it impossible for residents to return to their homes or farmlands.

Beyond Bokkos, attacks have also spread to neighboring local government areas such as Barkin Ladi Bassa and Riyom, with residents fleeing in droves to escape the escalating conflict.

Displaced residents and local officials have accused both state and federal governments of failing to respond adequately. According to them, relief materials and medical aid have not been forthcoming, and security presence remains minimal or entirely absent in many communities.

“We are hungry and still living in fear. We don’t know what the government is doing about our present situation”; A man who simply gave his name as Musa lamented when BusinessDay approached him.

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Several of the displaced, including women and children, are reportedly living under trees and in open spaces due to overcrowded church compounds and camps, raising fears of disease outbreaks and worsening humanitarian conditions.

The worsening security situation has also affected farming, the mainstay of Plateau’s rural economy. Residents say the ongoing violence has prevented them from accessing their lands, raising the specter of food shortages in the near future.

Dalung, Buhari’s minister speaks out

Solomon Dalung, a former Minister of Youth and Sports Development under Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency, and a prominent figure from Plateau State, has been one of the loudest voices condemning the recent attacks in Bokkos.

Dalung, in an interview on Arise Television’s programe, The Morning Show, recently pointed to the absence of justice as the key factor fueling the crisis, noting that multiple commissions of inquiry have been set up over the years, yet none have led to the prosecution of perpetrators.

“This is a reflection of the lack of political will to address the problem. Until justice is served based on the reports from these commissions of inquiry, which are just gathering dust in government archives, we will not see an end to this carnage”.

Dalung emphasized that the attackers are terrorists, not mere herders, as some have suggested.

One of the government’s proposed solutions to the violence was the creation of the Ministry of Livestock and a plan to restrict movement in order to stop the attacks.

However, Dalung questioned the 10-year timeline set by the government, asking why it has taken so long to address a crisis that has been ongoing for over 20 years.

He criticized the government’s slow response and raised concerns about the true motives behind the delay.

Federal government responds

The federal government has not remained silent in the wake of the attacks.

Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), while speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu on Sunday in Jos, after the recent attacks expressed condolences to the people of Plateau and praised the efforts of both the state government and security forces in maintaining peace amidst the crisis.

“On behalf of the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola-Ahmad tinubu, I am here to greet the people of Plateau, to extend his condolences over what we have witnessed in the last few days, the crisis that erupted”.

The president emphasized the need for unity and collective responsibility in addressing the long-standing security challenges in the state.

He acknowledged that the violence in Plateau has been a recurring issue for over 20 years, with similar incidents intermittently affecting the state.

Despite the challenges, he noted that significant progress had been made in improving the security situation.

He pointed to a reduction in major incidents, referencing the relative calm since December 2023, and underscored that while the recent events were tragic, they were not on the same scale as past outbreaks of violence.

“Of course, we have to understand, this is a long-standing issue that has been ongoing for decades. For over 20 years we’ve had this.

“But you know, the issue of security and situations like this it’s relative. You have to look at it from the point of what was happening before and what is happening now.

“I think we have made a bit of progress. The last time we had any serious incident was in December 2023. And now this one”; he said.

President Tinubu also highlighted the critical role of community involvement in preventing further violence. He warned that when communities fail to resolve internal disputes peacefully, criminal elements take advantage, escalating tensions into full-blown crises.

He stressed that the federal and state governments, alongside the security agencies, were working tirelessly to restore order and peace.

Read also: Police deploy tactical squads to Plateau amid escalating violence

Plateau government takes action

At the state level, Caleb Mutfwang, a lawyer and the Plateau state governor has also condemned the violence and pledged his government’s support to the victims and their families.

Mutfwang assured the people of Bokkos that his administration is working with the federal government to strengthen security in the area.

Addressing Plateau State indigenes residing in Abuja, the Governor declared that the pain of the people is his pain and pledged that no perpetrator of violence will go unpunished.

“We will no longer allow those arrested for crimes in our communities to walk free. I will pursue, and ensure the prosecution of, all those whose hands are stained with the blood of our people. They will face the full wrath of the law,” he stated firmly.

Governor Mutfwang briefed the audience on the ongoing government efforts to address the insecurity in Bokkos and disclosed that new strategies are being introduced to guarantee the safety of farmers as the next planting season approaches.

“I want to assure you that the lives lost in Bokkos will not be in vain. Some advised that we cancel this meeting due to the tragic circumstances, but after wide consultations with our leaders both at home and in the diaspora, we decided to forge ahead. We cannot let those behind these heinous acts think they have broken our spirit. Yes, we are mourning, but by the grace of God, we are not defeated,” he said.

Reflecting on the broader context of the violence, Governor Mutfwang noted, “Since the December 2023 attacks, we had begun reclaiming our identity as the Home of Peace and Tourism. For over a year, we recorded no major incident. But these attacks are clearly orchestrated, deliberate attempts to impoverish and intimidate our people at the start of every farming season”.

He added, “Let it be known: we will farm this year. No amount of intimidation will stop us. I appreciate the outpouring of sympathy and support from Nigerians across the country. I’ve had deep consultations with security chiefs and I want to assure the people of Plateau State that everything possible will be done to protect lives and property”.

The Governor extended his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift response and firm commitment to restoring peace in the state. He commended the President for directing federal agencies to deliver relief materials to victims of the Bokkos attacks.

Governor Mutfwang confirmed that some masterminds of the attacks have already been apprehended and stressed that the era of arrest without prosecution is over.

“As your Governor, I make this solemn promise: anyone involved in spilling the blood of a Plateau citizen will be pursued and brought to justice. None of them will go scot-free,” he emphasized.

The struggle for survival: voices from the ground

For the people of Bokkos and plateau in general, the struggle to survive in the face of constant violence is an all-too-familiar reality. Farmers, who once thrived in this fertile land, are now afraid to return to their fields. Those who have tried to return have found their crops destroyed or their homes looted. “We are living in fear. How can we farm when our lives are constantly in danger? The government needs to do more to protect us”; Musa, a farmer told BusinessDay.

The attacks have left many families without a means of income, and the economic fallout is already being felt across the local government. Local markets that once teemed with fresh produce are now empty, and food prices have begun to climb again, putting an additional strain on residents who are already struggling to survive. The fear of further violence has also led to a decline in investment in the area, further exacerbating the economic crisis.

As displaced persons continue to swell camps in churches and makeshift shelters, the humanitarian crisis in Plateau shows no signs of abating. Many residents are pleading for intervention before the situation deteriorates further.

Unless decisive and immediate action is taken, Plateau and other parts of the North may continue to witness worsening instability, widespread displacement, and humanitarian catastrophe.



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