By Palang Paul
Atleast three young Christian men were killed in a targeted ambush on the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026, in Tenti Kindin Agwati, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area [County]of Plateau State, Nigeria.
The victims who are tin traders where returning from their business, were attacked near a local football field around 5:30 p.m. and shot dead. Their assailants, identified by community sources as Fulani militias, fled immediately, leaving behind the victims’ bodies, their money, and unsold goods.
A Community Paralyzed by Fear
The sound of gunfire sent the Tenti community into a panic, with residents fleeing indoors. The attack has deepened a pervasive sense of vulnerability and abandonment among locals, who feel unprotected in the face of recurring violence. The three victims were buried in separate, somber ceremonies on Sunday, February 1.
A Pattern of Targeted Violence
This incident is not isolated. According to Nanpet David, a ground volunteer with the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), at least twelve Christians have been killed in Plateau State through ambushes and coordinated attacks in the past three weeks. “These killings follow a disturbing and consistent pattern,” David stated, pointing to a wider campaign of violence.
Security Failure and Public Anger
Residents have launched sharp criticism against local security forces for failing to prevent these attacks. “This is not the first time security is nowhere to be found.” The community youths have demanded the replacement of current security personnel with Mobile Police units if they cannot perform their duties effectively.
Tenti remains a flashpoint in part due to volatile land tensions. Indigenous residents allege that Fulani settlers forcefully pressure them to sell ancestral land, with refusals often met by threats, kidnappings, or killings. This longstanding grievance continues to fuel the cycle of retaliation and fear.
Official Response: Curfew and Suspended Mining
In response to the escalating violence affecting Bokkos and Barkin Ladi, the Executive Chairman of Bokkos LGA, Hon. Amalau Samuel Amalau, issued a public notice on February 1. The measures include the immediate suspension of all mining activities in Tenti and Mandar Districts and the imposition of a daily curfew from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in the affected areas. The Chairman stated that these steps are necessary to restore calm, enhance security surveillance, and protect lives and property, warning that violators would face legal consequences.
A Cry for Justice Amidst Grief
While authorities have enacted emergency measures, the community’s demand extends beyond curfews. Residents seek tangible justice, accountability for the killings, and a sustainable security solution. As burials continue and fear deepens, the people of Tenti are left questioning how many more lives will be lost before meaningful, lasting action is taken.
Palang Paul reports on security and conflict for The Nigeria Times
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