Fresh Plateau Attacks: One Herder and Over 100 Cattle Killed – A State at a Crossroads.

Map of Plateau State

Plateau State, Nigeria – May 2025 | WorldWire News

A deadly resurgence of communal violence has once again struck Plateau State, leaving a trail of sorrow and renewed fears of a widening ethno-religious crisis. In a deeply disturbing incident reported earlier this week, one Fulani herder was killed and over 100 cattle were slaughtered by suspected local youths in coordinated attacks across Gero community in Jos South and Darwat community in Riyom Local Government Area (LGA).

According to the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the attackers launched their assault in the early hours of the morning, targeting livestock and their herders. The group condemned the act as a continuation of a broader campaign of hostility against Fulani pastoralists in Plateau State and called on the government to intervene swiftly.

“We are tired of burying our people and counting the carcasses of our livestock,” said a MACBAN spokesperson. “This is not just an attack on cattle; this is an attack on livelihoods, on identity, and on peaceful coexistence.”

A History of Tension Reignites

The attack underscores the fragile peace that has long existed in Plateau State—a region historically marred by clashes between indigenous farming communities and nomadic herders, often framed along ethnic and religious lines. While state and federal authorities have launched multiple reconciliation efforts over the years, flare-ups like this serve as painful reminders that the underlying issues—land use, mistrust, and marginalization—remain unresolved.

The killing of over 100 cattle is not merely an economic loss. For herding communities, particularly the Fulani, cattle represent not just income but status, generational wealth, and cultural heritage. Losing such a large number is akin to a small village being wiped out financially. In areas where pastoralists depend almost entirely on livestock for survival, this act could drive a cycle of revenge, further bloodshed, and displacement.

 Implications for Plateau State

This incident, if not contained and addressed with fairness and urgency, could have far-reaching implications for Plateau and Nigeria at large:

1. Escalation of Retaliatory Attacks

Already, there are fears of reprisal attacks. Communities across Jos South and Riyom are on high alert. In past instances, attacks on cattle have led to violent retaliation targeting farming villages, igniting a tit-for-tat dynamic that has claimed thousands of lives over the past decade.

2. Economic Disruption

Plateau State's economy is heavily agrarian, with both farming and cattle herding playing significant roles. This attack could deepen the economic rift between communities, undermine rural trade, and make inter-community livestock markets volatile or collapse entirely.

3. Displacement and Humanitarian Strain

Increased violence inevitably leads to displacement. Plateau is already home to thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs). New waves of violence will further strain humanitarian resources, especially in rural LGAs that lack basic facilities.

4. Loss of Public Trust in Security Institutions

Many herder groups claim that security forces either arrive too late or fail to act on intelligence reports. The failure to prevent such attacks or to apprehend the perpetrators risks undermining public confidence in law enforcement and the state government's ability to protect its citizens.

Calls for Justice and Reconciliation

In the wake of the attack, civil society groups, religious leaders, and traditional rulers are calling for a neutral, transparent investigation into the killings. Many are urging the Plateau State Government and the Federal Ministry of Interior to reinvigorate peace committees and restructure grazing and land-use policies to avoid further bloodshed.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who assumed office promising peacebuilding and community integration, faces a major test of leadership. Stakeholders argue that only a multi-ethnic, multi-faith dialogue backed by strong legal enforcement can pull Plateau State back from the brink.

The National Context

These killings come at a time when Nigeria as a whole is witnessing rising incidents of insecurity, banditry, and farmer-herder clashes, particularly in the North Central region. The federal government has recently revived discussions around ranching and livestock reforms, but these policies remain stalled due to political resistance and mistrust between interest groups.

Unless the federal and state governments take bold, inclusive, and fair action, Plateau risks slipping further into a prolonged cycle of violence—one that could destabilize neighboring states and draw in ethnic militias, vigilantes, or even extremist elements.

A Plea for Peace

This latest tragedy in Gero and Darwat communities is a grim warning. If justice is not done and lasting solutions not found, Plateau State will remain a flashpoint of violence rather than a model of Nigeria’s diversity.

For now, the people of Plateau—herders and farmers alike—wait for action. They wait for peace, not promises. They wait for justice, not just condolences.

By WorldWire News Conflict & Governance Desk For truth. For justice. For the people.