Militia attack in Plateau leaves residents feared dead

Several residents of Jwak Maitumbi community in Plateau State are feared dead after a militia attack destroyed about 45 houses and triggered mass displacement.

Several residents of Jwak Maitumbi community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State are feared dead after a militia attack on Sunday, according to security sources. The attackers reportedly destroyed about 45 houses, looted valuables and damaged large quantities of crops belonging to Fulani residents. The assault also triggered mass displacement, with women, children and elderly residents fleeing the area.

Troops were deployed to the community after the attack and have continued security operations while engaging community and traditional leaders to prevent further violence. Security officials warned that the incident could trigger retaliatory attacks, as Plateau has a history of tit-for-tat violence between communities. The military has urged local leaders to help identify those responsible and prevent reprisal attacks.

The attack is a grim reminder of the cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau State for years. The destruction of 45 houses and the displacement of residents suggest a coordinated assault. The targeting of Fulani residents adds another layer of complexity to the conflict.

This echoes the 2018 violence in Plateau, which also saw communities attacked and residents displaced. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a cycle of violence that the state struggles to break.

The winners: none. The losers: the families of the victims; the displaced residents of Jwak Maitumbi; and the Nigerian state, which has failed to protect its citizens.

Bottom Line: A militia attack in Plateau has left residents feared dead and dozens of houses destroyed. The cycle of violence continues. The question is whether the government can break it before it escalates.