Irigwe People of Plateau State Cry Out: Over 1,100 Killed, 27,000 Farms Destroyed in Unending Violent Attacks Since 2001
Jos, Nigeria – The Irigwe ethnic group in Plateau State is facing a humanitarian and economic crisis of devastating proportions, as persistent violence has claimed over 1,107 lives and led to the destruction of 27,330 farmlands, according to the Irigwe Traditional Council.
In a press statement released in Jos and signed by Daniel Gya, President of the Irigwe Traditional Council, Danjuma Auta, General Secretary, and Samuel Jugo David, Public Relations Officer, the community revealed that since 2001, its people have been under constant threat due to terrorist attacks, land encroachment, and deadly ambushes—primarily by suspected armed herdsmen.
Recurring Violent Attacks Undermining Food Security and Rural Development
Despite the efforts of the Federal and Plateau State Governments, including peace pacts and security interventions, the violence has remained unabated. The most recent attack, which occurred on April 2, 2025, claimed the life of 33-year-old Dewi Terry Nah, who was fatally stabbed near the Twin Hill Area between Jebbu-Miango and Miango Town.
The Irigwe, who are predominantly agrarian entrepreneurs living in Kwall and Miango towns in Bassa and Jos North Local Government Areas, are now facing economic collapse, widespread trauma, and food insecurity.
A detailed study by Mr. Barrie, an independent researcher, found that from 2001 to March 2025, there were 2,866 violent incidents, resulting in:
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1,107 confirmed deaths
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412 injuries
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2 rape cases
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20,836 residential rooms destroyed
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742 barns razed
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27,330 farmlands decimated
The Council emphasized that most survivors are now trapped in extreme poverty, unable to meet their families’ basic nutritional and housing needs.
Failure of Security Infrastructure: 14 Killed in December 2024 Attack Despite Nearby Checkpoint
The statement cited a mass killing on December 22, 2024, in Ri Do (Gidan Ado), where 14 people, including a pregnant woman and a one-year-old baby, were massacred, even with a military checkpoint in close proximity. Two others were critically injured in the same attack.
Following this atrocity, Major General AE Abubakar, the then General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, visited the community and pledged that the attackers would be prosecuted, but no visible action has been taken to date.
Between January and March 2025, at least 58 new attacks occurred, resulting in:
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8 additional deaths
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8 critical injuries
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Over 50 farmlands vandalized or seized
Peace Efforts Undermined by Continued Violence and Lack of Political Will
The Irigwe Traditional Council revealed that despite a Peace Pact signed in 2022 and the establishment of a Peace Implementation Committee in 2024, attacks have continued to escalate.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State had promised to establish a Mobile Police Barracks in the affected area to enhance rural policing and community protection, but residents remain skeptical due to the lack of tangible outcomes from previous promises.
Call for Government Intervention to Prevent Irreversible Loss of Ancestral Land
The Irigwe leadership issued a heartfelt appeal to the Nigerian government, urging the Ministry of Interior, National Security Adviser, Nigerian Police Force, and Federal Ministry of Agriculture to act swiftly. The Council warned that unless urgent steps are taken, the community might be forced to resort to self-defence, which could further destabilize the region.
“If peace is not restored soon, our ancestral land and heritage will be lost forever,” the Council lamented.
They also called for increased security funding, compensation for affected families, and the implementation of sustainable development programs aimed at rebuilding the devastated agricultural economy.
