Tragedy in Plateau State: Suspected Fulani Militants K!ll Retired Police Officer and Two Others in Coordinated Attacks
In another tragic reminder of Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis, suspected Fulani militant groups launched deadly assaults on two separate communities in Plateau State, leading to the deaths of three individuals, including a retired police officer. The attacks, which occurred on the night of Friday, May 23, 2025, targeted Farin-Lamba in Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) and Dahot village in the Wereng Community of Riyom LGA.
This coordinated assault has reignited widespread concerns about the deteriorating security situation in parts of Northern Nigeria and the alarming frequency of armed attacks in Plateau State, particularly during the rainy season. The victims have been identified as Ayuba Bako, a retired police officer; James Bulus Kwanga, 27; and Ishaya Davou Bature, 23.
Details of the Plateau State Attacks
The attacks were confirmed by the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM-A), a youth-led civil society group advocating for the rights and safety of the Berom people—an ethnic group indigenous to Plateau State. A statement issued by Bature Adazaram, Secretary General of the association, and signed on behalf of Solomon Mwantiri, President of BYM-A, detailed the horrifying incidents that took place on Friday night.
According to the association, the attackers arrived in Farin-Lamba around 9:00 PM. Eyewitness accounts revealed that some of the assailants used a Peugeot 406 vehicle, while others approached quietly through nearby footpaths. They were said to have taken up strategic positions, giving them an upper hand before launching their violent assault.
“In another turn of tragic events, armed bandits suspected to be Fulani militant groups attacked Farin-Lamba of Jos South LGA and Dahot village of Wereng Community, Riyom LGA at about 9:00pm or thereabouts of last night, 23rd May, 2025, engulfing 2 people in Farin-Lamba and 1 person in Wereng respectively,” the statement read.
The two individuals killed in Farin-Lamba were Ayuba Bako, a retired Police Officer, and Mr. James Bulus Kwanga, aged 27. In Dahot village, 23-year-old Mr. Ishaya Davou Bature was also murdered during the same coordinated strike.
“Amongst the two killed in Farin-Lamba is a retired Police Officer by the name Ayuba Bako while the others are Mr. James Bulus Kwanga, 27 years old and Mr. Ishaya Davou Bature, 23 years old.”
“According to a local source, some of the attackers came using a 406 car while others came on footpaths and strategically positioned themselves during the onslaughts.”
Rising Insecurity in Plateau State and the Middle Belt
This is not the first time Plateau State has come under siege by armed groups suspected to be Fulani militants. The region, part of Nigeria’s so-called Middle Belt, has suffered repeated attacks over the years, often resulting in high casualties and displacement of indigenous communities.
These attacks are typically characterized by:
-
Surprise night raids
-
Use of both firearms and machetes
-
Strategic ambushes
-
Use of local terrain and footpaths to evade security agencies
The Berom Youths Moulder-Association noted that these attacks are disturbingly predictable, especially during the rainy season and festive periods. This pattern, the group says, has become a known strategy by the attackers to destabilize communities and exploit the difficulty of mobilizing security forces in rural terrains during heavy rains.
“This and many other incidents are the usual characteristics of the attackers whenever raining and/or Yuletide seasons are at hand, for such have always undermined National Security in all fours,” the statement added.
A Call for Government Action
In the wake of this latest tragedy, the BYM-A has renewed its urgent call on both state and federal authorities to take decisive action against these incessant attacks. The group emphasized that unless something is done swiftly, communities may have no option but to take up arms to defend themselves—an outcome that could trigger even more violence.
“The association called on authorities to take decisive action to address the security challenges or allow the community to defend itself against the bandits, who often operate under the guise of Fulani herdsmen.”
The group warned that failure to act could lead to complete erosion of public trust in the ability of the Nigerian government to protect lives and property, especially in rural and semi-rural areas of the country.
Unfounded Security Alerts and Misdirection
Interestingly, prior to the attacks, there was reportedly a security alert suggesting that other villages—namely Jol, Rim, and Bachi Communities—should be on high alert due to the movement of suspected gunmen from Rankum (Mahanga) and Fass areas.
The alert turned out to be misleading, as the gunmen bypassed the expected targets and instead struck two less-suspecting neighboring villages, adding another layer of complexity to the security situation in the region.
“Prior to the latest incident, there was an unfounded security alert that villages of Jol, Rim and Bachi Communities should be on red alert as gunmen had already taken off from Rankum(Mahanga) and Fass areas which the target village was alerted, just to spring up a surprising attack on the two neighbouring villages that are afar off.”
This misdirection may have been a calculated move by the attackers to distract community defenders and local vigilantes while planning a deadly ambush elsewhere. It is a chilling reminder of the evolving tactics used by these armed groups to maximize casualties and terrorize communities.
What This Means for National Security
The Plateau killings once again bring to the fore the fragile state of security in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt and northern regions. Despite repeated government assurances and military deployments, the spate of violence has not abated. Instead, more communities continue to be targeted with increasing precision and brutality.
The following are key takeaways from the incident:
-
There is an urgent need for improved intelligence gathering and community policing.
-
Security architecture in Plateau State must be overhauled to ensure quick response times.
-
Federal intervention may be required to reinforce overstretched local security outfits.
-
Civil society groups and youth organizations should be empowered to play a more active role in conflict prevention and early warning systems.
Conclusion
The recent killings in Farin-Lamba and Dahot village represent yet another dark chapter in Nigeria’s long struggle with ethnic and religious violence, banditry, and terrorism. The loss of a retired police officer and two young men underscores the vulnerability of everyday citizens—even in their own homes and communities.
As we mourn the deaths of Ayuba Bako, James Bulus Kwanga, and Ishaya Davou Bature, we must also demand that the Nigerian government rise to the challenge. Security is not a privilege—it is a right. The people of Plateau State, like all Nigerians, deserve to live in peace and dignity.
The time for talk is over. It is time for action.
