Plateau State Distributes N1.5 Billion to Victims After Attacks Kill at Least Nine

Plateau State Government distributed N1.5 billion in humanitarian aid to 1,571 households affected by recent attacks that killed at least nine people, including a pastor, while imposing a dusk-to-dawn curfew on three local government areas. [2]

Recent Attacks and Casualties

At least nine people were killed in attacks between Saturday night and Sunday morning across Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities, including five travellers at Gana-Ropp, a pastor and another person at Dorowa Babuje, and incidents at Baten Wereng and Ratyidi. [1] [2] The Northern Christian Association described the attacks as part of recurring violence that has devastated families and communities in the state. [1] Five people travelling towards Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi were reportedly killed when their vehicle came under attack on Saturday night. [1] A pastor and another person were killed on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje. [1] Separate attacks were also reported at Baten Wereng and Ratyidi. [1] The association noted that these incidents occurred across parts of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities. [1] Rev. Joseph Hayab stated that every life lost represented a human tragedy that should command attention irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences. [1] He questioned whether lives have become so cheap that they can now be taken at will. [1] The frequency of such attacks should not diminish the sense of compassion, as every victim left behind relatives, friends and communities that continue to bear the consequences. [1]

Humanitarian Aid Distribution

The N1.5 billion intervention consists of N1 billion donated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu via the Renewed Hope Initiative and N500 million from the Plateau State Government, disbursed to victims in Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu. [2] The funds were disbursed to the beneficiaries at the Government House in Jos on Monday, with 1,571 households selected for the first phase. [2] Beneficiaries were drawn from Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and Bassa local government areas, which have experienced recurring attacks resulting in loss of life, destruction of property and displacement. [5] The first phase involves direct financial assistance to heads of affected households. [2] Beneficiaries were selected through an identification and verification process involving the affected local government councils and other stakeholders. [2] The process considered household information, losses suffered and relevant documentation. [2] Governor Caleb Mutfwang stated the aid aims to provide immediate relief, restore livelihoods and enable safe returns when security conditions allow, while a second phase will focus on community recovery and rebuilding. [2] He said the true measure of this intervention will not simply be what happens within these walls today, but its real success will be seen when communities are able to stand again, livelihoods are restored, families can return home safely, and people can live together in peace and dignity. [2] APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, who assisted in the disbursement, said he was personally familiar with the trauma of displacement after losing friends, neighbours and relations in a crisis. [5] He expressed optimism that the state would overcome its security challenges and urged beneficiaries to use the money to rebuild their livelihoods through groceries, farming and businesses. [5] Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs Kachollom Gang said the intervention was meant to support families and communities affected by violent attacks in the five local government areas. [5] She noted that the state government had earlier constituted an inter-ministerial committee to identify victims transparently and fairly. [5]

Plateau State distributes N1.5 billion aid to households affected by deadly attacks. — Source: premiumtimes

Security Measures Imposed

A dusk-to-dawn curfew from 6pm to 6am and a ban on motorcycles were imposed on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu to enable security agencies to restore normalcy and curb threats. [2] [4] The curfew, which took effect on Monday, September 21, 2026, restricts movement between 6pm and 6am until further notice. [4] Commissioner for Information and Communications Joyce Ramnap announced the directive in a statement, saying the measure was introduced to enable security agencies to restore normalcy, protect lives and prevent further breakdown of law and order. [4] The government directed residents of the three LGAs to comply with the directive and plan their commercial, agricultural and personal activities around the restricted hours. [4] Security operatives were directed to strictly enforce the curfew and the ban on use of motorcycles with immediate effect throughout the affected jurisdiction. [4] The government reassured law-abiding residents that security personnel would operate professionally while enforcing the directive. [4] The curfew will remain in force until further notice, pending improvement in the security situation in the three local government areas. [4]

Condemnation by Northern Christian Association

The Northern Christian Association condemned the recurring violence, urged prevention over reaction, called for intelligence collaboration with communities, and warned against normalising killings. [1] Rev. Joseph Hayab made the position known in a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday. [1] He said Nigerians must not get used to killings and that every life matters. [1] The association urged the authorities to urgently review the security situation in vulnerable communities and strengthen measures to identify and neutralise threats before they result in attacks. [1] Increased deployment of security personnel could provide temporary reassurance, but the long-term solution required a security system capable of detecting threats early, acting on credible intelligence and preventing attackers from reaching vulnerable communities. [1] Hayab called for closer collaboration between security agencies and local residents, describing communities as critical partners in the fight against insecurity. [1] Residents are often the first to notice unusual movements, suspicious activities and emerging threats in their communities, and such information could help security agencies prevent attacks if reliable channels are created for reporting intelligence and appropriate action is taken promptly. [1] The association further urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attacks and ensure that those responsible were arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. [1] Hayab expressed condolences to the families of the victims, affected communities and the Plateau State Government while calling for support for residents whose lives and livelihoods had been disrupted by the violence. [1]

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Government Plans for Recovery and Return

Governor Caleb Mutfwang stated that the state government would work with affected communities, traditional institutions and security agencies to facilitate safe returns and restore livelihoods where security conditions permit. [2] He assured the beneficiaries that his administration would ensure the intervention reached genuine victims and reiterated his commitment to creating conditions for internally displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes. [5] The governor urged the beneficiaries to approach the process with patience, honesty and understanding to protect its integrity. [5] Sam Godongs, Director-General of the Directorate of Research, Government House, Jos, said the second phase would focus on community recovery, with affected communities expected to identify priority needs through their respective local government councils. [2] The needs assessment could inform further interventions, including infrastructure projects, as part of the planned rebuilding process. [2] Commissioner Kachollom Gang said the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs would work with local governments, security agencies and community leaders to ensure a transparent distribution process. [5] She urged beneficiaries to use the funds to rebuild their homes, return to farming and restart their businesses, and disclosed that part of the funds would be used for community-driven projects identified by affected communities. [5] Gang called for peace, tolerance and unity in the state, urging residents to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. [5]

What to watch next: Authorities will continue working with communities and security agencies to facilitate safe returns when conditions permit, while the second phase of support focuses on community recovery and rebuilding based on needs assessments identified through local government councils.