Security analyst Zagazola Makama has warned of a potential wave of reprisal attacks in Plateau State, Nigeria, if authorities fail to act on intelligence reports. According to Makama, credible intelligence suggests that armed groups are mobilizing for coordinated attacks in the Fan and Foron areas, following the theft of dozens of cattle from communities in Ganawuri, Vom, and Riyom.
The stolen cattle are believed to be hidden along the Foron-Fan corridor, and the armed groups are planning simultaneous attacks to recover them. This could lead to significant casualties and destabilize large parts of the state. Makama identified the Mangu-Barkin Ladi boundary and the Bisichi-Foron corridor as emerging flashpoints that require constant surveillance and patrols.
Makama urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intervene immediately to recover and release the stolen cattle, noting that cattle theft has often triggered wider communal violence in Plateau. He also criticized the Plateau State Government for its handling of the situation, accusing it of maintaining a “conspiracy of silence” and failing to act openly to reduce tensions.
The state government has been accused of treating dialogue with Fulani communities as a sign of weakness, rather than recognizing it as a critical step towards peace. Makama argued that Plateau faces two forms of banditry: local groups empowered to protect land but turned to criminal activity, and armed groups carrying out reprisal attacks after losing their livestock.
The analyst emphasized the need for prevention, stating that “lives are being wasted on a daily basis while the state government looks away.” He called for sustained dialogue with community leaders on all sides, alongside intelligence-led security operations, noting that force alone has failed to resolve the crisis. Makama urged the state government to convene inclusive talks involving traditional rulers, youths, women, farmers, pastoralists, and security agencies, saying that peace cannot be achieved by bullets alone.
The situation in Plateau State is complex, with a history of communal violence and banditry. The state government’s response to the crisis will be crucial in preventing further attacks and promoting peace. As Makama noted, “Plateau people deserve leadership that would prioritize lives over politics and action over silence.” The Federal Government and security agencies must work together to address the root causes of the crisis and prevent further violence.
