Plateau: Sleep no longer peaceful, fear now our life
•Mining site killings, traditional ruler’s death, nipss attack, border violence signal deepening security crisis
By Golok Nanmwa
Jos — Plateau State has once again been pushed into a troubling cycle of coordinated violence, as gunmen carried out a series of deadly attacks across multiple locations within days, leaving miners, a traditional ruler, and security operatives dead, and raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in the state.
From Jos South mining communities to the Bokkos axis, the Kuru corridor near a national strategic institution, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), one of Nigeria’s most sensitive policy training institutions. ,and extending to a border community in neighbouring Kaduna State, the attacks unfolded in a pattern that residents and observers now describe as “deeply alarming and increasingly coordinated.”
What is unfolding, according to community leaders, security analysts and residents, is not just isolated violence but a growing wave of insecurity that is reshaping daily life across rural settlements, mining belts and border corridors of Plateau State.
A resident of Jos South, Mrs. Lydia Dung, captured the mood in a brief but emotional statement.
“We are living in fear every day. You don’t know where it will happen next. Even sleep is not peaceful anymore,” she said.
MINING SITE ATTACK LEAVES FIVE YOUTHS DEAD IN JOS SOUTH
An attack in the latest wave occurred on Tuesday afternoon when gunmen stormed a mining site at Gero Village in Gyel District of Jos South Local Government Area.
The incident, which occurred at about 3:00 p.m., left five young miners dead instantly, plunging the community into shock and confusion.
Eyewitnesses said the victims were working at the site when the attackers suddenly arrived and opened fire without warning.
A resident, Ritiji Dalyop, who witnessed the aftermath, described the scene as horrifying.
“They came in suddenly and started shooting everywhere. There was no time to escape. All five of them died on the spot,” he said.
He added that villagers who rushed to the scene were overwhelmed by the sight of lifeless bodies scattered across the mining area.
Youth leader in the area, Gyang Davou, said the victims were struggling to earn a living in a difficult economic environment.
“These were young men trying to survive. Now their families have been thrown into mourning and hardship. It is painful beyond words,” he said.
Community members said the attack has further worsened fear in mining settlements, where informal mining has become a major source of livelihood for unemployed youths.
The Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) confirmed the killings, describing them as part of a disturbing pattern of violence in the area and calling for urgent government intervention.
PANIC AROUND NIPSS KURU AS SECURITY OPERATIVES KILLED
Even before the mining site attack, tension had already gripped residents around the Kuru axis following a violent incident at the gate of the the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), one of Nigeria’s most sensitive policy training institutions.
Security sources confirmed that three security operatives were killed during the attack, which occurred late Monday night.
The Plateau State Police Command later confirmed the incident, stating that reinforcements were immediately deployed to restore calm and secure the area.
Police spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, said investigations had commenced to determine those responsible. A statement from NIPSS management acknowledged a security breach but said normal activities had resumed. It stressed that the situation was swiftly contained by security agencies. However, residents described a night of fear and uncertainty.
A staff member of the institute, who requested anonymity, said the sound of gunfire lasted several minutes. “It was terrifying. People inside and outside the area could not sleep. Everyone was on edge,” the source said. A commercial driver operating around Kuru, Musa Danladi, said the incident has shaken public confidence. “If even a place like NIPSS can be attacked, then nowhere feels safe anymore,” he said.
DISTRICT HEAD AMBUSHED AND KILLED IN BOKKOS
While security agencies were still responding to the Kuru incident, another deadly attack occurred in Bokkos Local Government Area.
Gunmen ambushed the District Head of Gwande, His Royal Highness Saf Samuel Alaket, along the Sha- Daffo axis at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Sources said the traditional ruler was returning from activities around Daffo market when his vehicle was intercepted by armed attackers.
He reportedly sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a nearby clinic, where he later died. A community leader, Mr. Aten Pukat, described the incident as a devastating blow to the community. “He was a peaceful and respected leader. His death has created a deep void in our traditional institution,” he said.
Residents said the killing has left the entire Bokkos Traditional Council in mourning. A youth leader in the area, Pius Aaron said fear has intensified among rural communities.
“We are now afraid to travel at night or even in the evening. It feels like we are being hunted,” he said. Traditional leaders in the area have called for calm while urging security agencies to intensify patrols along rural routes.
BORDER COMMUNITY ATTACK IN KADUNA CLAIMS NINE LIVES
The wave of violence extended beyond Plateau State into neighbouring Kaduna State, where nine persons were killed in Angwan Magaji community in Kauru Local Government Area, a border settlement with Plateau State. The attack occurred around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, according to community sources. Gunmen reportedly invaded the community and opened fire on sleeping residents. According to the National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement, Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, the attackers struck without warning, targeting households indiscriminately.
He noted that many of the victims were members of the Irigwe ethnic group with ancestral ties to Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. Those killed included men, women and children, some as young as four and five years old. Mrs Eunice Pulat a member of the community described the moment as horrifying.
She urged security operatives to ensure the killers of their people are brought to book. The National Secretary of the Irigwe Development Association, Danjuma Dickson Auta, confirmed the killings and condemned the attack. He called on security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
COMMUNITIES GRIPPED BY FEAR AND DESPAIR
Across Plateau and its border communities, fear is now a constant companion. In Jos South, a mechanic, Thomas Gyang, said life has become unpredictable. “Every week there is bad news. We don’t know who is next,” he said. In Bokkos, elderly residents evenings are now the most frightening part of the day.
Mama Racheal Pwajok, a widow, said: “We sleep with fear and wake up with fear. That is our life now.” She expressed fear that continued attacks could lead to mass displacement of rural populations.
“People are reaching breaking point. If this continues, entire communities may abandon their homes,” she said.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND SECURITY PLAN
In response to rising insecurity, the Plateau State Government says it will install about 5,000 surveillance cameras across the state, supported by drones and a central command-and-control centre. Secretary to the State Government, Arch. Samuel Jatau, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Jos.
He said the initiative is part of a broader security reform strategy aimed at improving intelligence gathering and response time. According to him, federal and state officials recently inspected the surveillance equipment in China ahead of deployment. He added that community involvement remains essential to security management, urging residents to remain vigilant.
Plateau will never negotiate with terrorists Meanwhile Governor Caleb Mutfwang has declared that his administration will not negotiate with terrorists or criminal elements, insisting that government will sustain ongoing security operations to restore lasting peace across the state.
Mutfwang made the declaration in Jos while speaking during a Democracy Day Town Hall Meeting, where he also highlighted key interventions of his administration in agriculture, water infrastructure, security and social services. He maintained that engaging or negotiating with criminals remained off the table, stressing that security agencies must continue to take decisive action against perpetrators. “Negotiating with criminals is not an option. We will continue to push them out of our communities,” he said.
The governor said his administration had intensified security operations across the state in collaboration with security agencies, community leaders and traditional institutions, noting that the strategy had begun to yield positive results in affected areas.
He explained that coordinated security operations had led to the arrest of several suspects linked to violent attacks, adding that the arrests were already opening new lines of investigation and providing useful intelligence to security agencies. Mutfwang said ongoing investigations were helping to uncover wider criminal networks behind some of the attacks, while government continued to support security agencies with logistics and intelligence gathering.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as firm support and clear directives to security agencies in addressing insecurity across the country, noting that this had boosted operational response. He assured residents that although security challenges would not be resolved overnight, government remained determined to sustain operations until lasting peace is achieved across Plateau State. Mutfwang also called for stronger collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders in peacebuilding efforts.
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