Berom youths issue ultimatum over grazing after seven die in Barkin  Ladi attack in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama 

Berom youths in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau have issued a strong warning to government and security agencies in the state, declaring that they “cannot guarantee peace and safety on the Plateau if Fulani continue grazing on our land.”

The warning followed the killing of seven persons in Dorowa Babuje village on Feb. 22 after gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits opened fire on residents at a local relaxation spot.

Security sources said troops of Sector 4 under Operation SAFE HEAVEN responded to a distress call at about 7:30 p.m., discovering seven persons dead and two others critically injured.

The corpses were evacuated to Barkin Ladi General Hospital mortuary, while the injured were rushed to the same facility for treatment. Troops subsequently launched aggressive patrols across Dorowa Babuje, Dong and Lugere communities to prevent further escalation and track the attackers.

However, hours after news of the killings spread, another violent episode unfolded along the Nding axis of Barkin Ladi LGA.

Security sources confirmed that youths suspected to be local indigenes mounted a road blockade and intercepted a passenger Opel Vectra conveying civilians. Four persons were reportedly selected and killed on the spot, while a fifth later died from injuries. Two of the victims were identified as Hausa indigenes of Jos North, heightening tension in parts of Jos metropolis, including Terminus and Gangare areas.

The retaliatory attack prompted swift  deployments of troops in flashpoints across Barkin Ladi and adjoining districts. Joint patrols and stop-and-search operations have also been intensified along major roads. But despite the efforts by security agencies,  youths barricaded road for many hourz in protest and addressed government officials who visited the area.

In a series of emotionally charged remarks, a representative of the Berom youths alleged systematic attacks by Fulani militias and accused them of manipulating narratives to justify violence.

“This is another round of terrorism and we want the security to have it on record that our lives are not to be killed by the so-called Fulani,” the youth leader said.

“These are terrorists and it must be admitted that Fulani that are killing us are terrorists.” He further alleged that herders frame incidents to justify reprisals. We are aware that they have been framing up reports that cows have been attacked, poisoned or their people have been attacked, thereby justifying these killings,” he said.

The youth leader issued a direct warning to authorities. “If Fulani are not designated as terrorists, if Fulani are not stopped from grazing on our land, nobody should come and arrest anybody,” he said.

He added: “Sir, stop this Fulani from grazing on our land. Our land is not for any grazing. Declaring that the community felt pushed to the wall, he stated: “We have been pushed to the wall… we will not take it.”

He also said: “We stand to defend our land. We stand to defend our lives and our heritage is not to be shared with the Fulani.” The youth leader further cautioned: “We cannot guarantee PEACE and SAFETY on the PLATEAU if Fulani continue grazing on our land.”If they poisoned their livestock, does that justify this act?” If they poisoned their cows, who did the poisoning? Is it our people or the Fulani?”

“We are aware that they have been framing up reports that cows have been attacked, their people have been attacked, thereby justifying these killings. Sir, you are the eye of the government here. I swear to God, we will not take it.”

“If Fulani are not designated as terrorists, if Fulani are not stopped from grazing on our land, nobody should come and arrest anybody. The terrorists are there, they are killing people. They come with their cows, graze our lands and allege that we are the ones killing their people by laying ambush to shift the blame on us and come with this terror attack on us.”

“We are not fighting with anybody; we are law-abiding citizens. We are not fighting with any Hausa or anybody, but we stand to defend our land.” We stand to defend our lives and our heritage is not to be shared with the Fulani. They own their cows, we own our land. If Fulani want to acquire land, they should follow the lawful means, not to come and hijack land by force and then use it as a base to launch attacks.”

“We have information that bandits have been brought in and are being led by YELLOW, and nobody is doing anything. There must be something done about these people that have been killed.”

As at yesterday, we got on credible authority that Fulani are saying that we have been killing their people and they brought out some list. Who killed them and at what point?” These people were killed in their homes. Let us know where Fulani have ever been killed in his homes.”

“We are aware that anytime Fulani already plan an attack on our people, they will scheme it. They will go and poison their cows and start killing their own and then shift the blame on us.”

They will go and kill people that are not in support of what they are doing and then shift the blame on us.” he said. 

He also called for action against Miyetti Allah, alleging that the group was encouraging violence and spreading unverified claims. “I want to believe they are the ones encouraging these things.” You went on air and alleged that it was Berom militia, we don’t have Berom militia and no Fulani settlement has been attacked.”

“So it is us that are meant to be killed simply because they have the propaganda machine and some backing of political office holders.”

If you don’t invest in us, if you don’t invest in our wellbeing, don’t come for us for anything.” We cannot continue to be killed like this.”he declared. 

Meanwhile, security sources indicated that the Dorowa Babuje killings were being investigated as a possible reprisal linked to weeks of targeted assaults on pastoralist communities in parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring Riyom Local Government Areas.

On Feb. 19, three Fulani youths, Tahiru Muhammad, Jibrin Salisu and Abdulmumin Isyak were reportedly ambushed and killed near Jong community while returning from Dorowa Babuje axis, by suspected Berom militia. One of the assailants reportedly beheaded a victim, while the others were shot dead. Empty 7.62mm Special cartridges and a motorcycle were recovered at the scene. 

Less than 24 hours before the Barkin Ladi attack, armed men suspected to be Berom militia reportedly attacked herders in Jol community of Riyom, killing one Muhammed Sani while another victim, identified as Faruq Jamilu, was abducted. An unspecified number of cattle were also reportedly killed or injured during the assault.

On Feb. 11 at about 8:30 a.m., six cows belonging to Alhaji Bello Haruna and Iliya Yusuf, both of Rwam Village in Mushere District, Bokkos LGA, were reportedly poisoned at Tulus and Rwam villages. Two of the cows died instantly, while four others were slaughtered after showing signs consistent with poisoning.

In the same development, Militia suspected to be from the Birom ethnic group attacked a Fulani settlement in Tulus Village, Horop, setting ablaze two houses belonging to Kadiri Adamu and Hashimu Adamu. The Bokkos incident followed an earlier case in Riyom LGA. The Fulani community in Riyom reported that a cow belonging to Anas Likita, a resident of Luggere in Jol Ward, was attacked and seriously injured by individuals suspected to be youths from Jol community.

Abdullahi Yusuf, the Leader of the Fulani community in Riyom, while calling for calm, condemned the act. “Such incidents only increase tension and undermine ongoing efforts toward peace and stability in Riyom LGA,” the community said in a statement signed by Abdullahi Yusuf on Feb. 9.

On Feb. 2, one cow was shot dead at Weren Camp, Riyom LGA, while three others were poisoned in Kwi Village. Reports said toxic substances were concealed inside oranges and deliberately placed along grazing fields. The attack occurred in the afternoon.

Data from recent incidents indicate that both agrarian and pastoral communities have suffered casualties within weeks. While Dorowa Babuje recorded seven deaths attributed to suspected Fulani militias, preceding attacks had claimed Fulani lives in Riyom and Barkin Ladi, including killings within or near their settlements.

This pattern of attack to retaliation draw attention to a “cycle of mutual victimhood,” where each side cites prior losses to justify fresh violence against the other. 

As tension lingers in Barkin Ladi and parts of Jos, stakeholders warn that inflammatory ultimatums and retaliatory actions risk widening the conflict beyond local flashpoints.

For now, security forces remain on high alert, racing to contain violence that once again threatens to engulf Plateau in another cycle of bloodshed.