Leaders of the Berom in Diaspora Coalition (BDC), alongside key socio-cultural groups, have called for the declaration of Mahanga in Riyom Local Government Area as a terrorist enclave, immediate resettlement of displaced communities, and expressed a vote of no confidence in the Nigerian military over ongoing insecurity in Plateau State.
The demands were made on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during a press conference held at AFIC Motels, Jos, with representatives from the Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO), Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Berom Women Development Association (BEWDA), and the Berom Elders Council (BEC) in attendance.
Presenting the coalition’s position, Barry Barnabas Dazih, speaking on behalf of the BDC, described the situation in Berom land as dire, alleging persistent attacks, killings, and displacement of communities.
Dazih said, “Between November 2025 and April 2026, over 500 people have been killed, with homes and farmlands destroyed, while more than 70 Berom villages have been displaced and in some cases occupied.”
He stressed the coalition’s demand for urgent government action, adding, “Mahanga in Riyom Local Government Area has been widely identified as a stronghold for armed groups, and we call on the Federal Government to declare it a terrorist enclave and take decisive steps to reclaim our ancestral lands.”
He further called for immediate resettlement of displaced persons, noting, “Our people remain displaced and destitute in their own land while others occupy their homes. We want immediate action beyond promises.”
Also speaking, Hon. Stephen Choji Kim shared personal experiences of violence, alleging lapses in security response and the need for urgent intervention.
Kim said, “We are under siege, and unless the government takes decisive action to stop what we see as a genocidal campaign, our people face the risk of extinction.”
Recounting a personal loss, he added, “My brother was kidnapped and later found dead despite reports to security agencies. These experiences show the failure of the system to protect lives.”
He further stated, “If the government cannot protect us, then we must be prepared to defend ourselves within the law.”
In a more direct criticism of security forces, BECO Secretary General, Chollom Gyang, announced a vote of no confidence in the military, accusing it of bias and failure to protect communities.
Gyang said, “We have come to the point where we are passing a vote of no confidence in the soldiers. As long as they stand between us and the attackers without stopping the violence, there will be no peace.”
He added, “There have been instances where youths who defended their communities were arrested instead of the attackers, which raises serious concerns about the role of the military.”
Similarly, Dr. Silas Bot Pwajok of the Berom Community Development Association called for stronger government accountability and community self-preservation within legal bounds.
Pwajok said, “We have a constitutional right to defend ourselves, and it is time for our people to lawfully reclaim their lands and protect their communities.”
He also urged authorities to act decisively, adding, “If government officials can no longer protect lives and property, they should take responsibility, including stepping aside.”
On his part, President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, rejected the narrative describing the crisis as a farmer-herder conflict, insisting it is a coordinated attack.
Mwantiri said, “What is happening is not a farmer-herder clash but a sustained attack by armed groups, leading to killings, displacement, and occupation of lands.”
He further raised concerns over security operations, stating, “We have repeatedly raised alarms about movements of armed groups, but responses have been inadequate, leaving communities vulnerable.”
The coalition also called on the international community and human rights organizations to intervene in what it described as a worsening humanitarian crisis, while reiterating the need for justice, prosecution of offenders, and protection of lives and property.
The groups maintained that beyond assurances from government, urgent and concrete steps must be taken to end the violence, return displaced persons to their homes, and restore peace across affected communities in Plateau State.