The Berom Diaspora Coalition, (BDC) alongside Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation, BECO; Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, and Berom Women Development Association, BEWDA, on Tuesday raised the alarm over what it described as sustained attacks on Berom communities in Plateau State.
BDC also alleged that over 500 persons have been killed in the last five months in state by suspected terrorists.
The coalition, at a press conference in Jos with the theme: “Reclaiming Our Lost Ancestral Lands and Resettlement of Our People,” called on the federal government, Plateau State Government and security agencies to urgently halt the killings, reclaim allegedly occupied ancestral lands and ensure the immediate resettlement of displaced persons.
BDC representative, Mr Barry Barnabas Dazih, while reading the text of the press conference alleged that the killings, destruction of property and displacement of villagers between November 2025 and April 2026 were perpetrated by “terrorist jihadist elements.”
According to him, “Between November 2025 and April 2026, over 500 people have been brutally killed, some maimed, while houses and farmlands worth millions of naira were destroyed without provocation.”
He described the attacks as “a script from a horror movie,” saying innocent residents now live in fear as violence spreads across communities in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South, Bokkos, Bassa and Jos North Local Government Areas.
Dazih specifically referenced the March 29 Easter attack at Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, which he claimed left about 30 persons dead.
He said, “We had expected the killings to abate after our last international press conference in November 2025, but what we are witnessing is a renewed spike in the destruction of lives and property.”
The affected communities, he are Fan, Heipang, Kassa, Jol, Shonong, Gyel and Danwal among many others recently attacked, alleging that security agencies failed to act despite prior warnings.
The coalition further claimed that over 70 Berom villages have been displaced, with some allegedly occupied by armed groups, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the affected communities.
According to BDC the attacks have created more widows, orphans and homeless persons, while residents are also being denied access to farmlands and mining sites, their major sources of livelihood.
The coalition expressed disappointment that assurances by President Bola Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang to end the killings have not yield any results.
“The terrorists have become more daring and emboldened,” Dazih stated.
The group also accused security agencies of double standards, alleging that locals who defend themselves are often arrested and labelled terrorists or cattle rustlers, while perpetrators of attacks go unpunished.
Citing Section 33(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, the coalition argued that self-defence is recognised under Nigerian law where reasonably necessary force is used to protect lives and property.
BDC, therefore, demanded the unconditional release of persons allegedly arrested for defending themselves during attacks.
The coalition also called for thorough prosecution of suspects already arrested in connection with attacks in Plateau communities, insisting that justice must include convictions, sentencing and compensation for victims.
Lamenting the delay in resettling displaced persons, the group said government committees set up to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons had yet to produce meaningful results.
“There is a humanitarian crisis in Berom land and other Plateau LGAs suffering terrorist onslaught and they are being ignored,” the statement added.
The coalition renewed calls for the creation of state police and urged security agencies to establish a civilian joint task force similar to what obtains in the North-East.
🚨BREAKING: Watch The Video Clip Here ➤
