Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, received the Plateau State High-Powered Fact-Finding Committee, constituted by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to investigate the root causes of the persistent violent conflicts that have plagued parts of the state since 2001.
Led by retired Major General Nicholas Rogas, the committee conducted an on-the-ground assessment of recently attacked communities including Tanjol, Wereng-camp, and Rim, while also engaging in a town hall meeting with key stakeholders in the area.
During the visit, Executive Chairman of Riyom LGA, Hon. Sati Bature Shuwa, decried the continuous loss of lives and destruction of property. He stressed the need for deliberate and coordinated peace efforts.
“For over 25 years, the people of Riyom have endured recurring violence. A month ago, Wereng-camp was attacked by suspected Fulani herders; nine people were killed and over 33 houses were burned. We can’t achieve peace alone. Our country has great potential, but we fail when the values of our constitution are ignored. In the past, Berom and Fulani people lived as friends—today, that coexistence is strained. This committee’s presence symbolizes a step toward ending the senseless killings,” he said.
Shuwa noted that previous attempts at dialogue between the conflicting parties have yielded little results, with tensions appearing to escalate instead.
Ezekiel Dalyop, the village head (Mai Anguwa) of Wereng-camp, described the May 14 attack as unprovoked.
“We were caught unaware by gunshots. People ran in panic. Nine were killed, homes were burned. We later found a phone allegedly belonging to one of the attackers. When we called a contact on it, a Fulani person answered and insulted us. We still don’t know what we did to deserve this,” he recounted.
Youth leader of the Berom Moulders Association, Solomon Dalyop, highlighted land grabbing, night grazing, and the destruction of farmlands as major causes of unrest.
“In Riyom and Barkin Ladi, 103 out of 153 Berom communities have been taken over and renamed. Here in Tanjol 17 villages has been reduced to 6, Rankum is now called Mahanga, Fass is now Tafawa, and Dakar is now Logere, among others” he explained.
He added, “On June 8, our community was attacked for over five hours. Without the intervention of security forces, more lives would have been lost. These lands once served as grass reserves for roofing and agriculture; now, natives are too afraid to go near them.”
In response, the committee chairman advised community members not to resort to self-help. “We understand the terrain is difficult, but youths can organize vigilante groups to work with security agencies—not to take the law into their hands but to support official response efforts,” said General Rogas.
He added that the committee’s mandate is to gather firsthand information, understand the dynamics of the conflict, and make informed recommendations to the state government. “There is clearly a breakdown in confidence between the communities. We have seen patterns of mistrust, poor security access, and competing narratives. What is needed is dialogue and genuine commitment from both sides.”
During a visit to Chewelnyap hamlet in Rim community, the committee received distressing news of an attack the previous day which claimed the life of a police officer.
Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Riyom, SP David Tsado, explained that Fulani herders had been reported trespassing near homes. When officers were deployed to assess the situation, they were ambushed.
“Officer Yakubu Dauda was killed. Today, in our attempt to retrieve his rifle, we encountered heavy gunfire from over 50 armed men on motorcycles. We had to retreat due to being outnumbered,” Tsado reported.
The committee later convened a town hall meeting at the palace of His Royal Highness Da Samuel Joke, Gwom Rwey Riyom, with royal fathers, youth leaders, security agencies, and other stakeholders present.
Community representatives reiterated the challenges of land grabbing, insecurity, and what they described as biased handling of conflict by some security agents.
“When cows invade farms, no one is held accountable. We can’t even sleep on our farms for safety—our son was killed for doing so,” one speaker lamented.
Zang Kefas, Chairman of the Plateau Youth Council in Riyom, added: “Over 80 communities are displaced, living in IDP camps. For 25 years, we’ve been told to remain patient. How much longer must we wait? Even the killing of cows is being blamed on us—yet evidence suggests otherwise.”
The committee also held a separate meeting with Fulani leaders at a neutral location in Bukoro, highlighting the level of mistrust and separation between the groups. The Fulani leaders listed grievances such as:
- Killing and maiming of their children and relatives
- Seizure or killing of their cows
- Denial of access to forest areas for grazing
- Unfair generalizations of Fulani people as perpetrators of violence
They, however, expressed their openness to dialogue and a willingness to cooperate with both the community and government to ensure justice and lasting peace.
To foster reconciliation, the committee announced plans to organize a joint peace dialogue with both Berom and Fulani representatives present to find sustainable solutions to the ongoing crisis.
