The Plateau State fact-finding committee, led by retired Major General Nicholas Rogas, on Tuesday, June 24, visited Riyom Local Government Area as part of its statewide mission to investigate the root causes of the recurring violence that has claimed lives and displaced communities across Plateau since 2001.
The committee undertook an on-the-spot assessment of recently attacked areas, including Jol, Wereng, and Rim communities.
Speaking during the visit, Executive Chairman of Riyom LGA, Hon. Sati Bature Shuwa, decried the ongoing attacks and called for deliberate efforts from all stakeholders to restore peace.
“For over 25 years, the people of Riyom have suffered insecurity. In a recent attack, the Wereng-camp community in Riyom District was attacked by suspected Fulani herders, resulting in the death of nine persons and the burning of over 33 houses,” he said.
“We cannot achieve peace alone. Nigeria is incredibly blessed, but we are failing because people choose to act outside the core values of our constitution. It is time we do what is right. Today, natives and Fulani in Riyom can no longer see eye to eye, unlike the past when we lived as friends. The presence of this committee is a glimmer of hope—hope for freedom from senseless killings.”
He also noted that previous efforts to initiate dialogue between the communities have not yielded the expected results, as tensions seem to escalate further.
Ezekiel Dalyop, Mai Angwa of Wereng community, described the recent attack on his community as unprovoked.
“On May 14, 2025, we suddenly heard gunshots. We had no idea who they were or where they came from—we just ran. They burned our houses and killed nine of our people. When we returned, we found one of the attackers’ phones. When we called one of the numbers on it, a Fulani person picked up and hurled insults. We still don’t know what we did to deserve such wickedness.”
Solomon Dalyop, Youth Leader of the Berom Molders, highlighted land grabbing, destruction of farm crops, and night grazing as core causes of conflict in the area. Speaking about recent attacks on the Tanjol community, he said that the Fulani and Berom now live in completely separate settlements, and that native-controlled villages have reduced from 17 to just six.
“Out of 153 native lands in Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGAs, 103 have been forcefully taken over by Fulani settlers, who even rename the communities. For example:
Rankum is now called Mahanger (seized in 2001), Fass is now Tafawa,
Dakar has become Logere,” he explained.
“On June 8, another attack lasted over five hours. It took security intervention to repel it—otherwise, our people would have been displaced again. Mahanger and surrounding areas used to be grass reserves for building homes; today, they are grazing fields for herders. No native dares go there anymore.”
Chairman of the Committee, Major General Nicholas Rogas (Rtd), advised the youths to remain law-abiding but proactive.
“Due to the terrain, I recommend that communities form vigilante groups to work with security agencies and defend themselves while awaiting reinforcements. However, do not take laws into your own hands. It’s important to continue dialogue with Fulani stakeholders, especially as trust has broken down.”
During the visit to Rim community, the committee received news of an attack in the Chewelnyap hamlet the previous day, which led to the death of a security officer.
Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Riyom, SP David Tsado, confirmed the incident.
“Yesterday, locals alerted us about Fulani herders crossing into native farmlands. We deployed officers to assess the situation, but they were ambushed. Officer Yakubu Dauda was killed. Today, we attempted to retrieve his rifle but encountered over 50 armed assailants on motorcycles, wielding sophisticated weapons. We had to retreat.”
The committee also held a town hall meeting at the palace of His Royal Highness, Da Samuel Joke, Gwom Rwey of Riyom, engaging royal fathers, youths, security personnel, and other stakeholders.
At the meeting, community members raised concerns about land grabbing, threats to life, and what they described as double standards in how security agents handle conflicts.
“Our farms are no longer safe. When cows destroy our crops, no one is held responsible. We can’t even sleep on our farms to monitor the situation; the last time someone did, he was killed,” one resident lamented.
Zang Kefas, Chairman of the Plateau Youth Council in Riyom, added that over 80 communities have been displaced, with many residents now living in IDP camps.
“Where is the place of law and the constitution regarding land grabbing? For 25 years, we’ve been urged not to take the law into our hands. How long do we continue to exercise patience?” he asked. He also alleged that Fulani herders sometimes kill their own cattle and blame the natives.
In a separate engagement, the committee met with Fulani leaders at a neutral location in Bukoro—an arrangement that further illustrated the depth of division between Fulani and Berom communities in Riyom.
The Fulani leaders highlighted their own grievances, including:
Killing and maiming of their cattle,
Attacks on their children and brothers,
Being hindered from grazing in forest areas,
And the generalization of all Fulani as perpetrators of violence.
“There is no society or community without people with bad intentions,” a Fulani leader said. “That should not mean all Fulani are evil or criminals. We are ready to dialogue with the Berom community and cooperate to end the killings and ensure justice prevails.”
To gain a more holistic view of the conflict, the committee announced plans to convene another round of peace meetings, this time with representatives of both the Berom natives and Fulani residents present.