The Mwaghavul ethnic group in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State has raised alarm over the escalating wave of deadly attacks in their communities, revealing that more than 600 lives have been lost and over 65,000 villagers displaced in the last two years due to violent herdsmen invasions.
According to the National President of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement, Kyesmang Yusuf, the attacks, allegedly orchestrated by armed Fulani herdsmen, have devastated no fewer than 30 villages, leading to the destruction of 6,111 houses and countless farmlands. These alarming statistics were disclosed during a press briefing on Friday.
“The unprovoked attacks on the Mwaghavul nation have resulted in the sacking of over 30 villages out of 103 affected communities, displacement of over 65,000 villagers, grounding of 6,111 houses and immense loss of over 600 lives,” Yusuf stated.
The group condemned what it described as a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide, accusing the attackers of deliberately targeting Mwaghavul farmers and community members, even outside their homelands.
“For two years, the Fulani terrorists have neither shown remorse nor regard for human life. They continue to hunt our people—on farms, on roads, and in markets,” Yusuf lamented.
He added that since April 13, 2023, the Mwaghavul nation has endured coordinated and persistent attacks, with little intervention from authorities. He described the situation as part of a wider genocidal trend in Nigeria, but one that has taken a uniquely disturbing toll on Plateau State due to its historically peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups.
The community leaders accused the federal and state governments of failing to protect lives and property. They called on security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army, to step up investigations into the ongoing attacks and to prosecute those responsible.
The Mwaghavul Youth Movement also raised alarms about intelligence suggesting that more attacks are being planned, following alleged threats from individuals within Fulani communities.
“Our people are living in fear, and the government must act now to prevent further bloodshed,” Yusuf said. “We need more than condolences. We demand action—protection, justice, and the restoration of our communities.”
Aside from the human casualties, thousands of hectares of farmland have reportedly been destroyed, crippling the local economy and food production in Mangu and neighboring areas.
“The latest destruction of crops by herders shows the intent to starve and economically ruin our people. It is a war not just against our bodies but against our survival,” the group warned.
They urged the government to intervene urgently by deploying security forces, initiating peace-building efforts, and ensuring that displaced persons receive relief materials, housing, and long-term support for resettlement.
Yusuf appealed to all ethnic nationalities in Plateau State to unite against the common threat of terrorism, emphasizing that disunity among indigenous groups could embolden further violence.
“Conflict is natural to human societies, but violence must never be a solution. Our people have coexisted peacefully with Fulani herders for decades. We still believe in peace, but that peace must be protected through justice,” he said.
The situation in Plateau mirrors similar crises across parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt and North-West regions, where herder-farmer conflicts have escalated into full-blown humanitarian disasters. Analysts warn that if left unaddressed, these attacks could worsen the country’s fragile security architecture.
As the Mwaghavul people bury their dead and count their losses, they call on the world not to look away.
“This is more than a local crisis. It is a national emergency,” Yusuf concluded.