Less than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu visited Plateau State on April 3, 2026, to assure residents that recurring killings would cease, a fresh wave of attacks began to unfold across several communities. These incidents left scores dead and many others injured, highlighting a concerning escalation of violence despite presidential intervention.

An analysis of reported incidents following President Tinubu’s visit reveals that Plateau State recorded at least 14 separate attacks, clashes, or major security incidents between April 3 and May 10. These incidents resulted in no less than 50 casualties and spanned Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Mangu, and Jos South local government areas. President Tinubu had initially visited Plateau following deadly attacks in parts of Bokkos and surrounding communities, which had sparked national outrage and renewed concerns over the insecurity plaguing the North-Central state.

During his visit, the President had expressed deep sympathy over the killings and acknowledged that no compensation could truly replace the lives lost. He had explicitly promised that the Federal Government would do everything possible to restore lasting peace to the state, stating, “There is nothing I can give you, whether in billions, that can replace the lives lost. But we will do everything possible to ensure that such tragedy does not happen again.” However, violence persisted in the weeks that followed, demonstrating the profound challenges in achieving peace.

Tragically, on the very day of the presidential visit, April 3, at least three persons were reportedly shot dead in the Nyango Gyel community of Jos South Local Government Area. Three days later, on April 6, security forces reportedly repelled an attack on Pwomol village in Heipang District of Barkin Ladi LGA. Yet, barely 24 hours later, another assault on the same community reportedly left three youths dead and one injured after gunmen launched a night attack.

Security tensions further escalated on April 18 when troops reportedly arrested nine suspected militia members following renewed clashes in parts of Plateau. Coordinated attacks were reported on April 20 in Kpasho, Hurum Gashish, and Shonong Bachi communities, located across Bassa, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs, where several persons were killed or injured. Another deadly incident occurred on April 26 in Riyom LGA, where a pastor, his wife, and their two children were allegedly killed in the Rim community. By April 30, a youth miner was reportedly killed, and two others sustained injuries in an ambush along the Aloghom–Yilpo road in Mangu LGA.

The attacks intensified significantly in May. On May 4, reports claimed that no fewer than nine persons, including a soldier, were killed in separate attacks across Mangu, Bassa, and Barkin Ladi local government areas. A day later, gunmen reportedly attacked Nding Susut community in Barkin Ladi, killing six persons, including an entire family of five. On May 6, mourners returning from a burial ceremony in Rim community of Riyom LGA were ambushed, further heightening fears among residents. Fresh violence erupted again between May 8 and 9 in Bassa and Riyom LGAs, with reports indicating that between 12 and 13 persons, including three pregnant women, were killed in attacks on Ngbra Zongo community in Kwall District and Gwa Rim village.

The latest reported incidents occurred on May 10, when coordinated attacks hit Sabon Layi, Rakung, and Gangare communities in Barkin Ladi LGA, leaving at least 7 persons dead, including a police officer. On the same day, gunmen invaded Furyam Takzul community in Kantana Ward of Kanam Local Government Area, killing two people and abducting five others, including women and children. These repeated attacks have renewed profound concerns over the worsening security situation in Plateau, despite federal assurances and increased security deployments.

In a separate but related presidential intervention, President Tinubu had hosted a 32-member delegation from Plateau at the Presidential Villa in Abuja two weeks prior to some of these incidents. The meeting, which included Governor Mutfwang, former governors, traditional rulers, and political leaders, focused on addressing the root causes of violence, such as indigene-settler tensions, religion, ethnicity, and farmer-herder conflicts. The President underscored the need for tolerance and accountability, urging leaders to examine themselves and champion concerted efforts for enduring peace. He called on the state government to identify and name “agent provocateurs” to face the full wrath of the law. However, despite this high-level engagement, the killing spree regrettably continued shortly after the meeting.

The cycle of violence continues with recent tragic events. On a recent Sunday, two farmers and 21 cattle were killed in separate attacks in Riyom and Jos South local government areas. The first attack occurred around 1 p.m. near Gero in Jos South LGA, where gunmen targeted herders, injuring one person and killing 21 cattle. The second attack happened around 7:20 p.m. in Kyeng village, Bachi District, Riyom LGA, when gunmen ambushed and shot dead Peter Dung, 22, and Amos Bele Danbwarang, 19, before fleeing into nearby bushes. The National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, condemned these killings as barbaric and inhuman, urging security agencies to pursue the perpetrators and ensure justice. Similarly, the state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, condemned the attack on herders and called for immediate measures to prevent further occurrences. Troops attached to Sector 3 were mobilized to support personnel of Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace who were already operating in the Gero community during the attack on herders.

For decades, Plateau has remained one of Nigeria’s major flashpoints for recurring communal and armed violence, often linked to disputes over land, grazing routes, ethnicity, and religion. Communities in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Bokkos, and Mangu have repeatedly suffered deadly attacks, displacement, and destruction of property. Civil society groups and community leaders have consistently called for stronger intelligence gathering, improved security presence, and prosecution of perpetrators, warning that the cycle of violence persists largely because attackers are rarely brought to justice. The latest violence further underscores these recurring security concerns involving clashes between armed groups, herders, and farmers.