Plateau State Massacre: Community Leader Alleges Military Collaboration with Fulani Militias in Jebbu Binde Killings

A disturbing accusation has emerged from Jebbu Binde village in Ta-Hoss District, located within the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. Rev. Davou Musa, a prominent community leader and Chairman of the Regional Church Council (RCC) of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Riyom, has alleged that soldiers stationed nearby actively supported Fulani militias in the attack that left over 30 villagers dead.

Rev. Musa made this serious allegation during a visit by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who came for an immediate, on-the-spot evaluation of the devastating incident and to extend his condolences to the grieving community.

The RCC Chairman emphasized that the attackers, who operated in large numbers, freely invaded the village and carried out their violent assault for several hours. Shockingly, military personnel positioned a mere 200 meters away failed to intervene. He stressed that such an extended operation could not have occurred without some level of military collusion or direct support.

Rev. Musa further lamented that despite multiple urgent and desperate pleas for assistance during the attack, the military refused to come to their rescue. He criticized the soldiers’ inaction and labeled their conduct as complicity, especially as no suspects were arrested following the massacre.

In his statement, Rev. Musa directly blamed the military for abandoning their constitutional duty to safeguard lives and property. He demanded the federal government immediately withdraw the special military task force deployed to the community, stating their presence offers no protection to the locals.

“I have communicated this clearly to the GOC (General Officer Commanding), and I’m repeating it again: his men are openly siding with the Fulani, even assisting in the destruction of farms and grazing fields,” Musa asserted.

He elaborated that the attackers destroyed homes, looted food supplies, and even burned down a church during their onslaught. Many villagers sustained serious injuries, adding to the community’s anguish and losses.

Rev. Musa also accused the military of being compromised, alleging that soldiers prioritized the safety of Fulani cattle over human lives. He pointed out a disturbing pattern: whenever Fulani herders report incidents like cattle rustling, security forces respond promptly, deploying several armed personnel in Hilux trucks to recover stolen cattle and apprehend suspects.

Conversely, Rev. Musa noted that when local villages suffer fatal attacks and widespread destruction, the military’s response is either sluggish or entirely absent. This inconsistency has fueled widespread suspicion and concern about the true motives and loyalties of the security forces in the region.

“The military’s selective response makes it evident they are shielding the attackers instead of protecting our people. Human lives should be paramount, yet our attackers are given more security coverage than the communities under siege,” Rev. Musa alleged.

This alarming claim has intensified public outrage over the perceived partiality of security forces operating in conflict-prone areas of Nigeria, especially in Plateau State, where clashes between local communities and Fulani militias have repeatedly resulted in mass casualties.