20 Killed in Night Attack on Plateau Community, Group Accuses Fulani Militias and Slams Government Inaction

At least 20 people were killed on Monday night when suspected Fulani militias launched a deadly attack on the Bindi community in the Ta-Hoss district of Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State. Several others sustained injuries as residents fled in panic.

According to a statement jointly signed by Gideon Manjal and Gadu Daniel Dong, Chairman and Publicity Secretary of the Riyom chapter of the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), the attackers struck while residents were asleep, carrying out a brutal house-to-house massacre. The victims reportedly included women, children, and elderly people unable to escape the onslaught.

The statement, obtained by DAILY POST on Tuesday, described the attackers as Fulani extremists armed with sophisticated weapons. Survivors said the assailants made no secret of their intent—to wipe out the local population and seize their land.

“The attackers, clearly identified by survivors as Fulani extremists, descended on the Bindi community following a familiar and devastating pattern seen in past assaults across Riyom and other parts of Plateau. They slaughtered over 20 innocent people, including vulnerable groups like women, children, and the aged,” the group said.

COPDEM expressed outrage that the attack occurred despite the presence of security forces and military equipment in the area. Homes were torched, families displaced, and psychological trauma intensified.

The coalition further alleged that the attackers’ hideouts have long been identified and reported by local leaders, but no effective action has been taken. They warned that repeated attacks without consequences raise serious concerns about official negligence and possible complicity.

“This is not just a security lapse. It signals systemic failure. We know where these attackers come from. These threats are known, yet they strike repeatedly without being stopped,” the group said.

They called on President Bola Tinubu, the Plateau State government, and security agencies to immediately launch a high-level military intervention to dismantle terrorist bases in the region. They also demanded a state of emergency, urgent humanitarian support, and long-term trauma recovery efforts.

Expressing frustration, the group condemned what they described as endless condolence visits and empty press statements by public officials, which they say have failed to translate into real protection for communities.

“Our people are tired of being buried every day. Enough of the condolences and silence. Ta-Hoss and other affected communities like Jol, Rim, Bachi, Wereng, and Nding deserve more than sympathy. They deserve security, dignity, and justice,” the statement concluded.