Massive protests rocked the city of Jos, the capital of Plateau State, on Monday morning as hundreds of residents took to the streets to condemn the renewed wave of deadly attacks that have claimed the lives of over 100 people in recent weeks.
The demonstrators, led by prominent Christian leaders including the Plateau State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Polycarp Lubo, gathered at the popular Fwavwei Junction as early as 7:00 AM. Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop the Killings Now,” “Justice for Plateau Victims,” and “Where is the Government?”, the protesters marched towards the Rayfield Government House, demanding immediate action from authorities.
The protest comes in the wake of a series of brutal attacks in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, where suspected armed herders have killed scores of indigenous residents, mostly farmers, leaving entire communities displaced and traumatized.
In an emotionally charged atmosphere, one of the protesters, Gyang Dalyop, told ireport247new.com: “We are tired of burying our loved ones every week. The silence from the authorities is disturbing. We are here to demand protection and justice.”
Another protester, Hannatu Philip, called on both the federal and state governments to break their silence. “If they continue to ignore this crisis, it may spiral beyond control. These killings are no longer isolated cases — they are coordinated attacks,” she said.
The protest caused heavy traffic disruptions along major roads leading to Rayfield, with commuters and business owners stranded for hours. Security operatives, including police and civil defense personnel, were deployed to the scene to maintain order and prevent escalation.
According to community sources, the latest spate of violence began earlier this month when gunmen invaded several villages in Bokkos, razing homes and attacking residents in the dead of night. Survivors have described the incidents as “systematic ethnic cleansing,” a term that reflects the deep-seated fears and ethnic tensions that have long plagued the region.
The situation has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups, religious leaders, and former military officers. Last week, retired General Theophilus Danjuma urged communities in the Middle Belt to defend themselves in the face of what he described as “state failure.”
Similarly, Middle Belt Forum leaders issued a statement accusing the Federal Government of enabling terrorism by rejecting the creation of state police, which they argue is necessary for tackling security challenges at the grassroots level.
Humanitarian agencies are also raising concerns about the rising number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Plateau State. “The humanitarian situation is dire. Thousands have fled their homes with no access to food, shelter, or medical care,” said a representative of a local NGO providing