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From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Farmers in Plateau State have continued to count their losses from the ravaging activities of crop mowers suspected to be nomadic herdsmen in the face of renewed attacks on agrarian communities in the state, leading to loss of innocent lives especially women and children. Properties worth millions of naira have also been destroyed.
Communities in Bokkos, Mangu, Riyom, Barkin-Ladi and Bassa local government areas of the state are not in anyway spared by the rampaging crop mowers, who often descend on various farmlands, cutting down crops to their satisfaction.
Most of the destructions are often carried out in the middle of the night. Some of the crops so far destroyed majorly across Mangu, Bokkos, Riyom and Barkin-Ladi local government areas consist of grown-up maize, garden eggs and sugarcane, among others.
The President, Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, in a chat with Daily Sun, expressed concern over the renewed attacks on innocent communities and rampaging activities of suspected Fulani herdsmen grazing on farmlands belonging to natives at will without any reason.
Mwantiri, a lawyer, said: “What baffles us most in this avoidable tragedy is the fact that security agents had prior knowledge of the planned attacks as the herders and their cohorts, who are believed to be the hundreds hired bandits, were seen moving in the midst of thousands of cows grazed on farmlands at Jebbu and neighbouring villages, just to be visited with terror from a nearby Fulani settlements and no attempt to effect any arrest is what we gaze at now. This gross dereliction of duty has once again cost us precious lives men, women, and children murdered in their sleep.
“Aside the mass killing, the same Fulani went on rampage of mass mow down of crops in Jol, Bachi, Rinyan and other places while the attack was ongoing. This is suggestive of the hundreds of the armed men brought in addition to the ones that have been on ground in places such as Fass, Mahanga, Shong, Rakweng, Sharu, Diyan-Hei, Hawan-Kibo, amongst others, wherefrom the armed groups are reportedly stationed.
“Since rustled cows are always compensated whether or not established, BYM also calls for N10 million compensation on each person killed, and provision of relief and roofing materials to the surviving victims.”
He accused the military of prioritizing the protection of cattles than his people. “The military should desist from accompanying Fulani to graze as that would give rise to the collusion and complicity in the ongoing killing and farm destruction.
“This is a defining moment. If the government fails to act now, history will remember it as the era when evil thrived while the authorities concerned watched,” he firmly stated
The situation is not different in Mangu local government area of the state which has suffered attacks in recent years, leading to displacements of both the natives and some Fulani settlements as farmers continued to witness massive destruction of their farm lands.
The president of Mwaghavul Youth Movement (MYM), Comr. Kyesmang Jonathan, has expressed concern over the destruction of farmlands without provocation, insisting that victims of farms destruction must be compensated just as been done to the herders. He said it is imperative that collective action is taken to condemn the actions of the Fulani militias, provide support and compensation to the affected farmers, and ensure justice and accountability for the perpetrators.
The president, through the Director of Public Affairs, MYM, Comrade Tubwot Joël Sunday, in a statement noted that, the leadership of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement is drawing the attention of the international community to the disturbing ongoing criminality being perpetrated in Mwaghavul land by “satanic Fulani elements who brutally destroy farmlands.”
The following individuals in Mangul community of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State had their farms destroyed: Mr John Madugu, Christopher Maina, Denis Danladi, Madugu Panan Amos, Hosea Pannan and Pokyes Emmanuel.
“This heinous act is a stark reminder of the continued suffering and insecurity faced by the Mwaghavul nation at the hands of Fulani militias. The destruction of farmlands not only threatens the livelihoods of these individuals but also undermines the economic stability of the entire community and its contribution to national food security,” he stated
The president maintained that Mwaghavul nation deserved peace, security, and the right to live without fear of attack. “We urge the government and the world to not only condemn but also take real, result-fetching actions against the elements behind the farmers’ plight.
“Furthermore, we warn that should this atrocity persist, we will have no choice but to take drastic measures to protect our people’s livelihoods. Specifically, no Fulani man will be allowed to buy any foodstuffs in our markets, and none will also be allowed to ride okada in the entire Mwaghavul land. We are determined to defend our nation and our people at all costs.” They vehemently stated
One of the affected farmers, Mr. Panan Amos Madugu from Mongul community of Mangu LGA recalled with pain how his farmland, on which he invested so much has gone down the drain in a single night due to the activities of crop mowers.
“We woke up and saw that our farms had been destroyed by the evil elements. All our investments, including crops, fertilizer, herbicides, labour, running into millions of naira were destroyed. So, our expectations of bumper harvests have been cut down,” he lamented.
The councilor representing Mangu Halle Ward Mangu LGA, Hon. Amos Mangsock, told Daily Sun that farm destruction has become the order of the day in the area, especially within Mangu Halle Ward.
“in the early hours of July 10, 2025, another farm land was destroyed in Mangu Halle ward of Mangu LGA, bringing the total to over 60 farms ravaged in the past 30 days. This latest incident exacerbates the plight of local farmers, threatening food security and livelihoods.
“The repeated attacks have caused significant economic hardship and displacement, with many families struggling to cope. Urgent intervention is needed to address the root causes of these attacks and provide support to affected farmers.
“As the representative of the people of Mangu Halle Ward, I am calling on the local, state, and federal governments to prevent further destruction and restore peace in the community. Lives and livelihoods hang in the balance.
“Jwak-Maitumbi community’s fragile recovery has been dealt a devastating blow as Fulani herdsmen have destroyed farms in the community at the dawn of 6th July, leaving the community reeling.
“Displaced since 2023, the community was slowly rebuilding. The farm destruction now threatens food security, exacerbating existing shortages. Peace-building efforts are also undermined, as tensions and mistrust escalate. The community’s economic hardship deepens, straining resources,” he angrily stated.
Mangsock is of the view that immediate action is crucial to support affected farmers, enhance security, and foster dialogue: “Without intervention, the situation may deteriorate, leading to further displacement and trauma. The community’s future hangs in the balance, and decisive action is necessary to prevent further suffering. The destruction of farms has set back the community’s progress, and urgent help is needed to restore peace and stability. The community’s resilience is being tested once again.”
He further told Daily Sun: “On that fateful morning, our community was shaken by the devastating news of widespread farm destruction in Mangu Halle ward, specifically in the areas of Mairana, Jakatai, Mangul, and Kantoma. Reports indicated that no less than 25 farmers had suffered significant losses, with their hard work destroyed in an instant.
“The local government’s prompt response to this incident has been reassuring. By swiftly assessing the damage done to the farmlands, the authorities are taking concrete steps towards addressing this crisis. We are confident that justice will be served, and the farmers’ labour will be compensated. This decisive action demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and interests of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.”
As the situation unfolds, there is hope that the affected farmers will receive the support they need to recover from the unfortunate setback. “The destruction of their farms not only affects their livelihoods but also has a ripple effect on the local economy and food security.
“We look forward to seeing the outcome of the government’s assessment and the measures that will be put in place to prevent such incidents in the future.”
In Bokkos local government area of the state, the Mushere people, who are mostly agrarian, also come under intense attacks with farmlands destroyed. The President of Mushere Youth Movement, Comrade Shedrack Kopmut, noted that the Mushere people historically engaged in subsistence farming and animal husbandry. According to him, they have lived in peace with some Fulanis in their communities, but things have fallen apart at the moment, causing them their lives, properties and other means of livelihoods.
He stated: “For generations, we have lived peacefully alongside neighboring communities, including the Fulani pastoralists, with a spirit of mutual accommodation and coexistence. The Mushere people generously provided land to Fulani settlers for grazing and farming without compensation, motivated by hopes of fostering harmony and shared prosperity.
“However, this goodwill was exploited and betrayed. Instead of peaceful coexistence, the Mushere community has suffered relentless breaches of trust, manifested in systematic theft of crops and farm produce, large-scale rustling of livestock, deliberate destruction of farmlands and food stores. Appalling acts of sexual violence against our women and girls, abduction and kidnapping of our people for ransom.
“There is also indiscriminate killing of innocent men, women, and children. These actions reveal a calculated and ongoing strategy aimed at destabilizing, terrorizing, and dispossessing the Mushere people from their ancestral lands.
“The scourge of kidnapping has inflicted profound trauma and insecurity on our people. Several prominent community leaders and innocent civilians have been targeted. For example, Pa. Joshua Mutkut, Acting Miskakham (Traditional Ruler of Second Class Status) of Mushere, was abducted twice, first on June 11, 2023, and again on August 15, 2024. Each time, he was released only after significant ransom payments.
“Mrs. Saratu Micah, kidnapped twice in Kopmur, was tragically murdered following ransom payments in April 2024 and again in 2025. A breastfeeding mother with an infant of two months was abducted in Mbor on April 29, 2024. Although ransom was paid, the trauma endured by the victim and family is immeasurable.
“On May 15, 2024, the Mushere West PDP Ward Chairman was ambushed and killed in cold blood while traveling to Kadim. On January 19, 2025, Pastor Amis Joseph of COCIN Tulus was kidnapped, with ransom paid, but was gruesomely murdered three days later.
“Most recently, on May 25, 2025, Rev. Mimang Lekyil of COCIN LCC Kwakas was brutally murdered mere meters from an Army outpost a shocking event that raises serious concerns about the adequacy and responsiveness of security forces.”
Daily Sun learned that beyond these documented cases, countless kidnappings and terror attacks are said to have created an environment of pervasive fear and insecurity throughout the Mushere chiefdom.
“The murder of Rev. Mimang Lekyil on May 25, 2025, marked a tragic escalation of violence. Within 24 hours, approximately seven individuals were slaughtered in their sleep in Mbor on May 26, followed by the complete destruction of the village the following day by armed Fulani terrorists. Eyewitnesses reported the attackers openly chanting ‘Allah wah kubar’ as they set homes ablaze.
“This wave of terror did not end there. Subsequent days witnessed similar brutal attacks on Margif, Mbor, Nina, Nawala, Fogoldep, and other villages within the Mushere chiefdom. homes, churches, schools, and farmlands were systematically razed, resulting in an unprecedented level of destruction designed to erase our community physically and culturally.
“Government Secondary School, Hokk was burnt down on the 15th July, 2025, animals rustled and scores of innocent people were killed the next day in the same village, including one Mrs. Marry Sylvester leaving her husband behind in the pool of his blood with several gunshot wounds.”
Daily Sun gathered that some of the farms destroyed in the night were close to a military checkpoint of Sector 5 in Bokkos LGA and operated from 1am to 4am without any casualties meted on them by the security agencies or arrest.
Speaking on the current security challenges in the area, Kopmut disclosed: “Reliable intelligence confirms that these terrorists have entrenched themselves in the mountainous terrain bordering Horop-Minjing, Bodel and Mangar. These rugged areas serve as safe havens from which attacks are launched, and from which they continue to terrorize our people with impunity.
“Despite repeated and urgent reports from local vigilante groups and community leaders, security agencies have failed to undertake effective counterinsurgency operations. This security vacuum has emboldened the perpetrators, allowing these terrorist groups to continue their reign of terror unchecked.
“It is a thing of serious concern to our organization that military personnel deployed to protect the community were approached to accompany families and mourners to bury their loved ones, but they requested a whooping some of Two hundred thousand naira from the family.
“Sadly, this has been the practice whenever villagers request that they escort them to evacuate their belonging to a safe place. This single act further weakens the trust the community has on the security personnel of protection of life and property.”
They decried a full scale humanitarian tragedy in Mushere land amidst lack of food and accommodation, especially in this rainy season.
“In the early hours of 4th August 2025, a troop of armed Fulani terrorists launched a brutal invasion on the peace-loving villages of Kopmur and Mbor at about 1am, where displaced residents had courageously returned to tend to their farms in a desperate bid to secure food for their starving families.
“The attackers unleashed unprovoked violence, leaving scores of villagers grievously injured, while Mrs. Rifkatu Ayuba tragically lost her life in the chaos.
“Undeterred, the assailants pressed on with their barbaric campaign the very next day, 5th August 2025 at about 2pm, targeting Margif Community. There, they burnt homes; raped women, destroyed cultivated farmlands, and launched a frenzied attack on innocent civilians. Approximately 12 individuals, including women and children, sustained varying degrees of gunshot and machete wounds as they fled for their lives.
“Disturbingly, these heinous acts occurred a few meters away from a military checkpoint at Horop community, yet no intervention were made by the security personnel stationed there. The attackers were neither apprehended nor neutralized, casting a dark shadow of doubt over the efficacy and willingness of security forces to protect our people.
“On 6th August 2025 at about 4:30pm, the terrorists escalated their atrocities by invading Ndimar Community in Ik’ngwakap, the very heart and headquarters of Mushere Chiefdom. This daylight assault left numerous villagers dead, and saw the COCIN Church, alongside several homes, set ablaze. This chilling act of impunity underscores the alarming reality that our communities have become battlegrounds, where innocent lives are sacrificed daily.
“This marks the third time within this year alone that Mushere Nation has endured prolonged attacks spanning three to five consecutive days without any meaningful intervention or cessation. Our people are being slaughtered, our lands desecrated, and our very existence threatened, while the world watches in deafening silence.”
They commended the efforts of the Plateau State Government led by Caleb Mutfwang, who visited the embattled community on 22nd June 2025. The governor not only empathized with the plight of the people but also assured of his administration’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with relevant authorities and stakeholders to restore peace and security to Mushere, Bokkos, and Plateau State at large.
They stated: “The governor made critical promises which included: The immediate deployment of additional security personnel to vulnerable areas. The provision of motorcycles and mobility resources to aid security forces in accessing remote and hard-to-reach communities such as Kadim, Njemut, Luwapan, Hokk, Dulu, Fokoldep, Nawala, and Kaban Communities in Southern Mushere all of which have been overrun by terrorists, leaving indigenous inhabitants displaced and homeless.
“Regrettably, as of today, these well-intentioned promises are yet to be fulfilled, and our people continue to face relentless assaults, with no significant reinforcement or logistical support on the ground.”
The Mushere Youth Movement makes a solemn and urgent appealed for immediate, coordinated, and sustained action from all relevant stakeholders, local, national, and internationally.
They called on their youths and all community members to remain calm and law-abiding, even in the face of provocation: “We urge our youths to stay vigilant and proactive by promptly reporting all suspicious movements and security threats to local vigilante groups and other appropriate authorities.
“We urge bordering and neighboring communities, especially those in Kaduna and Nasarawa states, to intensify cooperation by enhancing intelligence sharing through both formal and informal channels.
“There is an urgent need to establish effective early warning systems that can provide timely alerts to vulnerable populations in the event of impending attacks. In addition, communities should explore the formation of mutual protection alliances to respond swiftly to emergencies while awaiting formal intervention from government security agencies.
“We also call upon the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Plateau State Government, Bokkos local government area and all national security agencies to act without delay.
“Immediate deployment of additional security personnel to all vulnerable and affected Mushere communities is essential. Furthermore, the government must launch targeted and sustained military operations to dismantle known terrorist strongholds in the mountainous terrain surrounding Nina, Hokk, Mbor, Margif, Mangar, Bodel, and Southern Mushere.
“These operations must be carried out with precision and commitment, and must include mobile tactical units that can maintain surveillance and responsiveness across the region.” They prayed the federal government
The Mushere Youth Movement appealed to humanitarian organizations, government agencies, and individuals of goodwill across Nigeria and beyond to urgently provide relief to the displaced and suffering people to includes “emergency food supplies, temporary shelters, clean drinking water, and access to medical care.
“There is also an urgent need for trauma counselling and psychosocial support for survivors, particularly women and children. We also call for programs that will ensure the rehabilitation and reintegration of internally displaced persons back into their communities once peace and safety are restored.
“It is deeply disheartening that despite numerous distress calls and formal reports submitted by our local vigilantes and community leaders, security agencies have failed to act decisively.
“This failure has created a dangerous vacuum that emboldens the terrorists and permits them to operate with near-complete impunity. Without immediate intervention, this unchecked reign of terror will only escalate.”
The youths maintained that further dimension of the attacks and destruction of farmlands is the looming food insecurity that awaits them and other communities that depend on their farm produce.
“These attacks began just after our people had cultivated their farms in anticipation of the harvest season. Due to killings and mass displacement, these farmers have now been prevented from tending their crops.
“Meanwhile, cattle owned by the terrorists and others rustled from victims are left to graze freely, trampling and consuming the crops. This destruction signals an imminent hunger crisis, not only in Mushere, but in surrounding communities that depend on local food production.
“As we speak, the terrorists continue to occupy several villages within the Mushere Chiefdom, particularly in the southern corridor. Villages such as Hokk, Margif, Mbor, Fokoldep, Dulu, Luwapan, Nawala, Kadim, and Nina remain under siege.
“This development raises serious concerns about possible external support or complicity and demands urgent investigation by the Nigerian government and international intelligence agencies. The absence of a continuous and credible security presence across Mushere land is a major factor enabling the terrorists to launch attacks at will.” The youth leader stated
They laminated that the current episodic and reactionary deployment of security personnel is grossly insufficient. “We therefore appeal for the sustained presence of security forces, particularly at strategic entry and exit points into Mushere Chiefdom. Only such a presence can deter future attacks, facilitate the safe return of displaced persons, and help restore confidence among the affected communities.
‘To that end, we strongly advocate for the immediate creation of a Joint Security Task Force. This task force should be composed of personnel from the military, police, civil defence corps, and intelligence services drawn from both Plateau and Nasarawa States. The task force must be given a clear mandate to carry out strategic search-and-rescue and search-and-destroy operations aimed at reclaiming occupied territories and neutralizing the ongoing threat.”
They equally called for the establishment of a permanent military base in one of the most strategically located villages within the southern Mushere. Villages such as Mbor, Minjing, Tan, Nina, or Nawala all of which they said are currently vulnerable and bordered Nasarawa State would serve as ideal locations.
“The presence of a military base would serve not only as a deterrent to future attacks, but also as a rapid-response center for all future security operations. Let it be made absolutely clear, the current crisis in Mushere Land is not a dispute over land use between farmers and herders. It is not a misunderstanding between neighbors. It is a well-planned, well-funded, and coordinated campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing. It is designed to uproot the Mushere people from their ancestral land and to erase their cultural identity through bloodshed and displacement.
“We therefore call upon the Federal Government of Nigeria, all relevant security agencies, the international community, and global human rights organizations to act with urgency and resolve. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes must be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Mushere people must not only be protected, they must be given justice, dignity, and the opportunity to live and thrive in peace on their ancestral land.”
The Mushere Youth Movement reaffirmed it’s unwavering commitment to peace and coexistence. “However, we are also firm in our resolve to defend our land, our people, and our future. We will not be silent in the face of extermination, and we will never retreat from the responsibility of preserving our heritage for future generations.”
The Mazat Community of Barkin Ladi is one of the communities in Plateau State that also suffered destruction of farmlands leaving the local farmers in a state of hopeless. The community came under full scale farms destruction on the 15th July 2025 when unknown individuals entered the village and deliberately destroyed maize crops belonging to multiple farmers. The extent of the damage is significant, impacting the livelihoods and food security of the affected farmers negatively.
The massive destructions of farm lands in some local government area of the state is coming after Mutfwang commissioned an additional 150 Agro-Rangers to provide dedicated security for farmers and their produce across the state.
The initiative considered to be a strategic intervention aimed at ensuring food security and ultimately achieving food sovereignty in Nigeria was also seen as a bold step towards fostering peace and enhancing agricultural productivity across the state.
Mutfwang at the Passing-Out Parade of the Agro-Rangers trainees at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Command and Staff College, Naton-Fursa, Jos East Local Government Area reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and inclusive development.
According to him, “Nigerian farms are national assets that must be protected. Also, the journey of farmers to and from the farms must be safe and secured if we are to guarantee food security for our nation.”
He commended the NSCDC for its innovative Agro-Rangers initiative, describing it as a laudable strategy that complements the efforts of conventional security agencies in safeguarding rural communities and farmlands.
“While our security forces continue to uphold the sovereignty and internal stability of the country, the Agro-Rangers initiative by the NSCDC is a timely and commendable response to the unique security needs of our agrarian communities,” the governor noted.
He emphasized that rural insecurity undermines national stability and economic growth, warning that a hungry population is vulnerable to manipulation. He stressed the importance of ensuring farmers can cultivate and harvest their crops without fear or threat.
“Our farms are critical national assets that must not only be protected but also cultivated to attain food security and food sovereignty. These Agro-Rangers have been trained to ensure that farmers can return home safely and that the fruits of their labour are not destroyed,” he added.
Mutfwang further revealed that security agencies, including the Agro-Rangers, recently facilitated the peaceful evacuation of thousands of stranded cattle from Bokkos Local Government Area without incident, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining peace through professionalism and dialogue.
Addressing the graduating Agro-Rangers, the governor charged them to discharge their duties with integrity, fairness, and patriotism.
“What you are called to do is beyond a job, it is a noble sacrifice for your fellow citizens. Uphold justice, fairness, and remain committed to the mission of safeguarding our food systems and communities,” he stated
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, earlier noted that the graduation is the second batch of Agro-Rangers deployed in Plateau State. He affirmed the Corps’ determination to support the state government in tackling security challenges, especially in farming communities.
“We are proud to be partners in the journey toward sustainable peace and food security. The Agro-Rangers are specially trained to provide security cover for farmers, and we are committed to expanding their operations across the country,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the police public relations officer in the state, DSP Alfred Alabo, has expressed concern over the trend of farm destruction in the state, adding that no affected farmer(s) has so far come forward to report the destructions of their farmlands and point at those they’re suspecting behind the act to give room for investigation.
He said: “The farm destruction is ongoing and no body has come to say these are the people they’re suspecting behind this. But they (crop mowers ) are doing the farm destruction cowardly in the night and then they disappear. But serious efforts is ongoing and if we arrest them, we will let you people (journalists) know.”
