Plateau Govt Frustrated As Army Fails To Apprehend Killers Of 27 Farmers

The Plateau State Government has expressed deep frustration with the Nigerian Army for failing to arrest or neutralize the gunmen responsible for killing 27 farmers in Tahoss community, Riyom Local Government Area, on Monday.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, the state Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, revealed that although the military engaged the attackers during the incident, no arrests were made despite a nearby army checkpoint.

“The checkpoint is barely 200 metres from where this attack occurred,” Ramnap said.

“Yet, none of the attackers were arrested or captured, and sadly, the victims were left unaffected by the military response.”

She emphasized that Tahoss is not a remote area; it is accessible via an access road and surrounded by several military checkpoints, which makes the lack of arrests particularly troubling.

“It is not a hidden community where people couldn’t get help,” Ramnap noted.

“While we do not want to stereotype or accuse the entire Army of complicity, there is clearly room for further investigation. The governor specifically requested that at least some arrests be made.”

“If the military engaged the gunmen so closely, they should be able to track and apprehend them. Yet, no arrests have been reported so far,” she added.

Describing the attack as unprovoked and despicable, Ramnap also noted that the assailants destroyed farmlands in addition to killing the farmers.

Echoing earlier statements by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, she labeled the recurring killings in the state as tantamount to genocide.

While acknowledging the bravery of some soldiers stationed in Plateau, Ramnap admitted there remain “bad eggs” within the military ranks.

She also explained that the attackers came from three directions, with the group that targeted people sheltering in a church inflicting the heaviest casualties.

“The attacks came simultaneously from three sides of the community. One side managed to contain the attackers and prevent harm. But the side closest to the church—where people were hiding—suffered the worst damage,” she said.

She recounted how the church’s pastor fled fearing for his life, followed by his wife. Tragically, six people were later killed in their home.

Plateau State has been rocked by a series of brutal attacks in recent months. In April alone, over 100 people were killed in violent raids across Bokkos and Bassa LGAs, sparking outrage nationally and internationally.

This death toll was the highest since gunmen massacred around 150 residents on Christmas Eve in 2023.