By Palang Paul
Residents of Jebu, a farming Christian settlement in the Tahoss District of Riyom Local Government Area, are counting their dead after a night of violence left at least 32 people killed, including women, children, and an infant barely three months old. The attack, which began around 3:00 a.m. on Monday, 14th July 2025 destroyed dozens of homes and farmlands and left a church in ruins.
Local sources said the attackers, armed with rifles and machetes, entered the community from different directions, opening fire as people slept. Survivors recalled being woken by gunshots, followed by the sound of burning rooftops and screams in the dark.
“We woke up to the sound of gunshots everywhere,” said Ezekiel Dung, a farmer who escaped with his wife and two children. “They came from all sides, shooting and setting houses on fire. Anyone who ran was shot. My neighbor’s entire family was killed in their home.”
Several victims were burned beyond recognition after their houses were torched. Some families were found huddled together in the remnants of their rooms, unable to escape the flames.
Youth Leader Killed, Soldiers Accused of Inaction
Among those killed was the community youth leader, Weng Dachung, who was reportedly shot after attempting to organize a defense against the attackers. Eyewitnesses allege that security personnel stationed nearby restricted local youths from intervening.
“The soldiers were close by, just a few meters away from where houses were burning,” said a resident who asked not to be named for safety reasons. “They told the youths to stay back and did nothing as people were being killed.”
The Nigerian Defense Headquarters has not commented on these allegations. This is not the first time residents have raised concerns over the perceived failure of security forces to respond during attacks in Plateau’s rural areas.
Governor Visits Scene, Calls It Genocide
Hours after the killings, Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang visited the community. Addressing survivors and local leaders, he condemned the attack and rejected the term “farmers-herders clash,” often used in official narratives.
“This is organized violence against innocent people,” Mutfwang said. “We will not hide behind euphemisms. The government will ensure justice and rebuild what has been destroyed.”
The governor promised to document the destruction for compensation and announced plans for psychosocial support for survivors. He urged residents to remain calm and assured them of government assistance in the coming days.
Church Destroyed, Pastor Appeals for Aid
The community’s only church was reduced to rubble. Rev. Musa D. Alamba, the pastor, lost his house, personal belongings, and vehicle in the attack.
“I have lost my members. I have lost everything,” he said. “I appeal to the government and Nigerians of goodwill to come to our aid. We need food, clothes, and a safe place to stay.”
Rev. Alamba is now sheltering with dozens of others under a tree outside what remains of the church compound. Nearby, villagers have laid out mats where children sit quietly, many barefoot, staring at the ashes of their homes.
Victims Include Security Personnel
One of the dead was identified as a member of Operation Rainbow, a state-backed community security outfit. His death underscores the scale and brazenness of the attack, which residents say lasted more than two hours before the assailants withdrew.
Military Integrity Questioned Amid Bribery Report
While residents accuse the military of failing to protect Jebu, the Nigerian Defense Headquarters released a statement Monday praising troops for rejecting a ₦13.7 million (\$8,900) bribe offered by suspected terrorists during a separate operation in the state. The report, intended to highlight the integrity of the forces, has done little to ease public frustration over the killings in Jebu.
Mass Burial and Ongoing Fear
By Monday afternoon, villagers began digging shallow graves. With no mortuary facilities and the tropical heat accelerating decomposition, mass burials were conducted behind the destroyed church compound. Men lowered charred remains into the earth, while women and children wept quietly nearby.
“We fear they will come again,” said Grace Pam, a widow who lost two of her children in the attack. “We need soldiers who will protect us, not just stand and watch.”
Recurring Violence in Plateau State
Jebu’s ordeal is part of a pattern of violent attacks on rural communities in Plateau State, a region historically plagued by land disputes and sectarian tensions. According to local monitors, more than 150 people have been killed in similar assaults since January 2025. Most incidents involve armed groups attacking farming villages at night, often burning homes and displacing thousands.
The violence has displaced entire communities, forcing families to take refuge in schools or with relatives in nearby towns. Aid agencies report increasing cases of hunger and trauma among survivors, many of whom have lost their homes and means of livelihood.
Humanitarian Situation and Calls for Support
Local NGOs and church-based organizations have begun mobilizing relief for Jebu, but needs remain urgent. Food, bedding, clothing, and trauma counseling top the list of priorities. With farms destroyed during planting season, there are fears of worsening food insecurity in the months ahead.
“What we are seeing is the collapse of rural life in parts of Plateau,” said John Pam, a volunteer with a local relief group. “People are abandoning villages because they no longer feel safe. If this continues, we will see massive displacement.”
International humanitarian organizations have not yet issued statements on the Jebu attack, but activists are calling for global attention to what they describe as a “silent crisis” in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
Unanswered Questions
As night falls on Jebu, the smell of smoke still hangs in the air. Survivors huddle in small groups, sharing stories of loss and wondering how soon they can return to normal life — if at all. For now, promises of justice and rebuilding remain words, and villagers wait to see whether they will translate into action.
This attack is the latest in a series of deadly raids targeting rural Plateau communities in 2025. Unless security improves, residents fear that Jebu will not be the last.
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