The Berom in Diaspora Coalition (BDC), in collaboration with the Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO), Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Berom Women Development Association (BEWDA), and Berom Elders Council (BEC), has called on the Nigerian government and international community to take urgent action against what it described as a “prolonged genocide” of the Berom people by Fulani militias.
The coalition made this appeal during a world press conference held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Bishop’s Court Conference Hall in Jos, Plateau State.
While members of the coalition joined virtually from across the world, representatives of BECO, BYM, BEWDA, and BEC were present on ground alongside journalists. The statement was presented on behalf of the BDC by Barry Barnabas Dazih, a representative from Russia.
Background and Context
In its address, the coalition lamented the continuous attacks on Berom communities across Barkin Ladi (Gwol), Riyom, Jos South, and Jos North Local Government Areas, as well as surrounding LGAs such as Bokkos, Mangu, and Bassa, stating that the violence has persisted for over two decades.
According to the coalition, over 10,000 Berom people have been killed since 2001, while 151 communities have been displaced across Plateau State. Thousands remain missing, while many survivors have been forced from their ancestral lands.
“These attacks, which began in 2001, have seen homes razed, farmlands destroyed, and entire villages taken over by Fulani militias,” the statement read. “What we are witnessing is not random violence—it is a systematic attempt to exterminate the Berom people and occupy their lands.”
The coalition further recalled several major incidents, including the Dogo Na Hauwa massacre of 2010, which claimed more than 500 lives, as well as the September 17, 2001 attack on Nding in Fan District, where a village head, a serving councillor, and 11 others were killed during a morning devotion.
Alleged Land Grabbing and Historical Context
The BDC said the Berom ethnic group, one of the early indigenous peoples in West Africa known for its ironworks and tin mining, has faced waves of aggression dating back to pre-colonial times. It accused successive Nigerian governments of ignoring ongoing land grabs by armed herders and failing to protect indigenous communities.
“The natural resources and fertile lands of the Plateau have made Berom territory a target of envy and aggression,” the group stated. “Entire settlements in Riyom and Barkin Ladi have been taken over, renamed, and occupied by Fulani militias without government intervention.”
Threats Against Activists
The coalition also raised the alarm over what it described as “credible threats” to the lives of three prominent activists — Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, journalist Masara Kim, and human rights advocate Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri — allegedly targeted by Fulani assailants from Nasarawa State.
“These men are being hunted because of their consistent advocacy against the ongoing genocide,” the statement alleged, linking the threats to their exposure of violence in Plateau and the broader Middle Belt region. The group said intelligence reports suggest the attackers intend to abduct or assassinate the activists in retaliation for their public advocacy.
It further claimed that the threats came after the United States government designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”, saying terrorist groups and their sponsors were angered by international attention drawn to their actions.
Security Concerns and Identified Hotspots
The coalition listed several communities where it alleged Fulani militants have established strongholds, including:
- Riyom LGA: Fass and Rankum (Jol community, renamed Mahanga), Shonong, Diuan-Hei, and Bangai (Bachi District).
- Barkin Ladi LGA: Werre (renamed Lugere) and Jong (Ropp District).
- Jos South LGA: Tahei hinterlands (Gyel District).
- Bokkos LGA: Dajin-Gwomna (Mushere Chiefdom) and Josho (Daffo District).
The BDC urged federal, state, and local governments to increase security in these and other affected communities across the Middle Belt.
Demands to the Nigerian Government and International Bodies
The Berom in Diaspora Coalition made a nine-point demand, calling on both local and international actors to ensure justice and security for affected communities. Among the demands are:
- Immediate declaration of Fulani militants as terrorists and military operations to reclaim occupied lands.
- Release of ₦10 billion earlier pledged by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for victims’ relief and rehabilitation.
- Return of ancestral lands to displaced families.
- Prosecution of all perpetrators and collaborators, regardless of status.
- Implementation of long-term security measures, including community policing and dialogue mechanisms.
- Public hearings by the National Assembly on rural terrorism and land grabbing.
- International intervention by the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS to investigate and prevent further killings.
- Humanitarian support for displaced persons, including food, shelter, and medical aid.
- Sustained media coverage to ensure victims’ stories are not silenced.
Condemnation of Government Inaction
The coalition condemned what it described as the government’s indifference to ongoing killings, accusing political leaders of prioritizing elections over citizens’ lives.
“Our leaders are busy playing politics over corpses,” the statement read. “Nigeria does not rehabilitate victims—it rehabilitates killers. It empowers warlords instead of comforting widows.”
It further added that “a government that pampers killers and punishes victims is an accomplice,” urging Nigerians to unite and speak out regardless of ethnic or religious divides.
Appeal for Unity and Justice
In its closing remarks, the coalition stressed that the struggle for justice transcends ethnic boundaries.
“This is not just a Berom issue—it is a Nigerian issue,” the group declared. “From Plateau to Benue, Southern Kaduna to the South East, no region is safe when truth becomes tribal and justice selective.”
Reaffirming their commitment to lawful advocacy, the BDC stated that the Berom people will continue to pursue peace through legitimate means but insisted that “peace without justice is fragile.”
Signed:
The Berom in Diaspora Coalition (BDC)
Representing Berom communities across Canada, the United States, Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, and other parts of Africa.