Plateau: Slumber Lost, Anxiety Now Our Reality

Plateau State has been plunged into a cycle of violence, with a series of deadly attacks occurring across multiple locations, resulting in the deaths of miners, a traditional ruler, and security operatives, and raising concerns over the worsening security situation in the state, with attacks reported in Jos South mining communities, the Bokkos axis, and a border community in neighbouring Kaduna State.

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The attacks have unfolded in a pattern that residents and observers describe as "deeply alarming and increasingly coordinated", with community leaders, security analysts, and residents warning of a growing wave of insecurity that is reshaping daily life across rural settlements, mining belts, and border corridors of Plateau State.

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A resident of Jos South, Mrs. Lydia Dung, expressed the mood of the community, stating "We are living in fear every day, you don't know where it will happen next, even sleep is not peaceful anymore", highlighting the sense of uncertainty and fear that has gripped the community.

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An attack on a mining site at Gero Village in Gyel District of Jos South Local Government Area on Tuesday afternoon left five young miners dead, with eyewitnesses describing the scene as horrifying, and the victims' families thrown into mourning and hardship.

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The attack on the mining site has further worsened fear in mining settlements, where informal mining has become a major source of livelihood for unemployed youths, with the Berom Youth Moulders Association confirming the killings and calling for urgent government intervention.

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Tension gripped residents around the Kuru axis following a violent incident at the gate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), where three security operatives were killed during the attack, which occurred late Monday night.

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The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that reinforcements were immediately deployed to restore calm and secure the area, with Police spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, saying investigations had commenced to determine those responsible.

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A staff member of the institute, who requested anonymity, described the sound of gunfire as "terrifying", with people inside and outside the area unable to sleep, and a commercial driver operating around Kuru, Musa Danladi, saying the incident has shaken public confidence.

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Gunmen ambushed and killed the District Head of Gwande, His Royal Highness Saf Samuel Alaket, along the Sha-Daffo axis at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, with sources saying the traditional ruler was returning from activities around Daffo market when his vehicle was intercepted by armed attackers.

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A community leader, Mr. Aten Pukat, described the incident as a devastating blow to the community, saying "He was a peaceful and respected leader, his death has created a deep void in our traditional institution", with residents saying the killing has left the entire Bokkos Traditional Council in mourning.

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A youth leader in the area, Pius Aaron, said fear has intensified among rural communities, stating "We are now afraid to travel at night or even in the evening, it feels like we are being hunted", with traditional leaders in the area calling for calm and urging security agencies to intensify patrols along rural routes.

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Nine persons were killed in Angwan Magaji community in Kauru Local Government Area, a border settlement with Plateau State, with the attack occurring around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, according to community sources, who said gunmen invaded the community and opened fire on sleeping residents.

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According to the National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement, Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, the attackers struck without warning, targeting households indiscriminately, with many of the victims being members of the Irigwe ethnic group with ancestral ties to Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

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Mrs Eunice Pulat, a member of the community, described the moment as horrifying, urging security operatives to ensure the killers of their people are brought to book, with the National Secretary of the Irigwe Development Association, Danjuma Dickson Auta, confirming the killings and condemning the attack.

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Fear is now a constant companion across Plateau and its border communities, with a mechanic, Thomas Gyang, saying life has become unpredictable, stating "Every week there is bad news, we don't know who is next", and Mama Racheal Pwajok, a widow, saying "We sleep with fear and wake up with fear, that is our life now".

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The Plateau State Government has announced plans to install about 5,000 surveillance cameras across the state, supported by drones and a central command-and-control centre, as part of a broader security reform strategy aimed at improving intelligence gathering and response time.

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Secretary to the State Government, Arch. Samuel Jatau, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Jos, saying the initiative is part of a broader security reform strategy, and community involvement remains essential to security management, urging residents to remain vigilant.

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Governor Caleb Mutfwang has declared that his administration will not negotiate with terrorists or criminal elements, insisting that government will sustain ongoing security operations to restore lasting peace across the state, stating "Negotiating with criminals is not an option, we will continue to push them out of our communities".

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The governor said his administration had intensified security operations across the state in collaboration with security agencies, community leaders, and traditional institutions, noting that the strategy had begun to yield positive results in affected areas, with coordinated security operations leading to the arrest of several suspects linked to violent attacks.

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Mutfwang commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for firm support and clear directives to security agencies in addressing insecurity across the country, noting that this had boosted operational response, and assured residents that although security challenges would not be resolved overnight, government remained determined to sustain operations until lasting peace is achieved across Plateau State.