Tension in Plateau as Cleric’s Warning of Planned Fulani Attack Turns Deadly
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Fresh tension has gripped Plateau State following reports that over 15 people were killed in renewed violence — barely a day after Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo raised alarm over an alleged planned Fulani attack on his community.

The development has sparked outrage and fear across the Middle Belt, as residents question the Nigerian Army’s handling of security alerts and their alleged withdrawal from vulnerable villages before the assault.

Army Denies Warning, Calls It False Alarm

According to Akahi News findings, Reverend Dachomo had on Tuesday publicly alerted security agencies and the public to an impending attack in parts of Plateau State. However, the Nigerian Army swiftly issued a press statement dismissing his warning as “false alarm” and accused the cleric of causing unnecessary panic.

Within 24 hours, tragedy struck. Local sources confirmed to Akahi News that the mass burial of over 15 victims took place early Wednesday morning. Residents say the victims were farmers and women caught in the surprise night raid.

Community leaders have now criticised what they described as a “pattern of security negligence”, alleging that soldiers deployed to the area were mysteriously withdrawn hours before the attack.

Rising Fears of Ethnic Cleansing

Observers and local human rights groups have described the incident as part of a disturbing trend of coordinated assaults on farming communities across the Plateau, Benue, and Southern Kaduna axis.

A community elder who spoke to Akahi News under anonymity said:

“When people raise alarms, they are labelled as liars. Now the same villages are burying their dead. It’s hard not to see this as a slow-motion genocide against our people.”

The claim echoes growing fears among Middle Belt residents that such attacks could spread southwards to states like Kwara, Kogi, Port Harcourt, Benin, and Anambra, if urgent measures are not taken.

Calls for Independent Investigation

Civil society organisations are calling for a transparent investigation into both the killings and the alleged troop withdrawal, urging the Federal Government to prioritise the safety of rural communities over image management.

Security analysts told Akahi News that while misinformation during conflict must be tackled, dismissing early warnings without thorough verification could cost more innocent lives.

As the nation mourns yet another avoidable tragedy, the Plateau crisis remains a grim reminder of Nigeria’s worsening security fragility — and the growing distrust between citizens and the institutions meant to protect them.

Akahi News — http://www.akahinews.org