In recent years, Plateau State has experienced a series of systematic killings against leaders of the Fulani herder community, including prominent figures such as Ardos (community heads) and officials of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
These murders have not only destabilized community leadership but have also aggravated existing tensions between herders and farmers in the region, and on the other hand casting suspicion on members within their own communities.
The recent incident occurred in Barkin Ladi LGA, with yet-to-identified gunmen killing the MACBAN chairman, Muhammad Adamu, at his residence on March 19, 2025, shortly after breaking his fast.
A local youth leader, Alhaji Danjuma Ibrahim, revealed that Adamu had earlier survived targeted attacks.
“This was the third attempt on his life. Unfortunately, this time, the gunmen succeeded. They shot him multiple times before fleeing the scene,” he said.
Describing Adamu’s death as a tragic loss, Danjuma highlighted his contributions to peacebuilding in the community.
“He played a crucial role in maintaining harmony between different groups in Barkin Ladi. His absence will be deeply felt.”
Another similar incident happened on September 23, 2023, when Alhaji Adamu Idris Gabdo, the Ardo of Panyam in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA), was brutally murdered.
Gabdo was killed by unidentified assailants while returning after a meeting with other community leaders in Panyam. His body was later discovered in a remote area bordering the Plateau and Bauchi states.
Weeks after, the Nigerian Army arrested the principal suspect accused of killing Alhaji Gabdo in Lagos.
The Army statement confirmed the suspect’s identity as Philip Gokas. “The arrest of Mr. Philip Gokas, also known as Jaykimo in Lagos State, was following weeks of painstaking manhunts to bring the criminal to Justice,” the statement read in part.
Similarly, in another tragic event, the youth leader of MACBAN in Bassa LGA was killed under mysterious circumstances in July 2024.
The deceased was shot dead by unknown gunmen in the Jebu area of Bassa, while he was sitting at a tea selling point in the area.
Govt, Security Responses
While sympathising with the family of the deceased, the Chief of Staff of Operation Safe Haven, Brigadier General M. O. Agi, described the deceased as hardworking and of good character who he worked with on the peace committee.
“I had worked with him on the peace committee. He was hardworking and of good character. We assure you that we will investigate the matter and ensure justice for the deceased,” he said.
Before his death, the youth leader was a member of 57-man peace implementation committee established by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 division of the Nigerian Army following the eruption of the crisis between farmers and herders in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South and Bassa LGAs.
He was also a member of the 17-man peace implementation committee in Bassa, formed by the GOC to address the crisis between herding and farming communities in the Bassa general area.
In 2020, Ardo Sa’adu, a prominent Fulani leader in Mangu, was murdered by gunmen, believed to be hired, at a tea-selling point in Mangu town.
Despite mounting pressure on local authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and to investigate the motives behind his killing, no tangible information was found.
Both the state and federal governments remain silent about the killings, raising concerns about the commitment to addressing violence.
For Amnesty International, government failures to act in a similar series of killings fuel escalating conflict between farmers and herders in the state.
Broader Implications
The systematic targeting of Fulani leaders has profound implications for the community. These leaders play pivotal roles in mediating conflicts, representing their communities in dialogues, and ensuring the welfare of their people.
The incident further strained relations between the Fulani herders and other ethnic groups in the area, while also, in some cases, casting suspicion on members within their own communities.
These continued to create leadership vacuums, complicating ongoing peace efforts in the state ravaged by decades-long ethno-religious conflicts.
Moreover, these killings have instilled fear among other community leaders, making them apprehensive about engaging in peace initiatives or openly addressing grievances.
Observers argued that this atmosphere of intimidation hampers conflict resolution efforts and perpetuates a cycle of mistrust and violence.
Many community members feel that justice for the victims is either delayed or not served. The absence of thorough investigations and prosecutions has led to a perception of impunity.
The crisis in Plateau State is believed to be a symptomatic of deeper issues, including competition over land and resources, ethnic tensions, and historical grievances.
The North Central region, encompassing Plateau State, has long been a flashpoint for clashes between predominantly indigenous farming communities and Fulani herders.
Environmental factors, such as desertification and changing climatic conditions, have forced herders to migrate southward, leading to increased competition for arable land.
This migration has sometimes resulted in violent confrontations, with both herders and farmers suffering casualties and losses.
