Five Imams from the communities of Dorowa-Babuje, Luggere and Jol in the Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State have raised concerns over what they described as “security threats” affecting their areas in recent times. The Islamic clerics are from the five Juma’at Mosques in the communities.

This development comes amid heightened tensions in Barikin Ladi, Mangu, Bokkos and Riyom LGAs, where the state government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew to restore order following killings and attacks in the area.

Worried by the security situation in their areas, the clerics, who include Imam Bashir Khamis, Imam Salihu Muhammad, Imam Idris Usman, Imam Aliyu Mahmud and Imam Yahaya, called on the government to take action to address the problems before they get out of hand.

They said the current situation is a source of concern, hence the need to draw the attention of the state and federal governments to threats capable of disrupting peace in the region.

Speaking during a chat with journalists yesterday in Jos, the Imams, led by Imam Yahaya of the Juma’a Mosque in Luggere, said the current situation in the areas is alarming.

He said, “We are in difficult times in these communities. Unlawful arrest of our members without any cogent reason is the order of the day. Our social media team, who help to share what we are going through with the world, are being arrested, and some are threatened. Destruction of property by security personnel and rampant killing of both humans and animals are a daily occurrence. Communities are attacked and houses burned without any reason.”

According to the Imams, they are not opposed to any lawful investigation or to security agencies carrying out their duties, but they said the agencies should be impartial and treat them equally with their neighbours.

He said, “We appeal to be treated equally with our Christian neighbours and that no one should be spared if found guilty, irrespective of their ethno-religious background. We also appeal that security personnel should stop vandalising our properties and burning our houses. We also need security in our communities and in our places of worship during Juma’at prayers, and security agencies should allow cattle to graze,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mobile Police officers from Mopol 81 opened fire on herders around Maraban Dare community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing one Adamu Mato and injuring two others on Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses said that they were grazing when the mobile police officers stormed the grazing field and opened fire on them, adding that the situation forced them to abandon their cattle and flee for their lives.

Abba Jafar, who survived the attack, said they were tending to their cattle when they unexpectedly started hearing gunshots. “They didn’t tell us anything but started shooting. They killed my colleague and injured two others. Though I survived, I sustained a gunshot wound to the head. We have not committed any crime.”

The state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, condemned the attack, describing it as a deliberate act to intimidate herders and cripple their businesses. The MACBAN chairman gave the names of the victims as Adamu Mato, Abba Jafar and Adamu Abubakar, adding that the victims were just going about their normal activities.

“Report has it that Adamu Mato was shot and killed by personnel alleged to be from MOPOL 81 without any provocation. We respectfully request a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death”, he said.

Babayo also accused the mobile police officers of unlawful arrest of members and burning of their houses across some local government areas.

“I want to draw the Inspector General of Police‘s urgent attention to a series of deeply disturbing incidents allegedly involving personnel of MOPOL 81 in Plateau State.

“We are seriously concerned by what appears to be a pattern of actions directed against members of the Fulani community, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Bassa Local Government Areas. These incidents have created fear, anxiety, and a growing loss of confidence in the impartiality expected of security personnel.

“On 19 October 2026, personnel alleged to be attached to MOPOL 81 reportedly set fire to Fulani houses at Exland Junction, Gashish District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, and also took away motorcycles and other valuable personal property belonging to community members. We urge the IGP to order an immediate and independent investigation into the conduct of personnel of MOPOL 81 in Plateau State”, Babayo added.

The Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, when contacted on the incident, did not respond to inquiries regarding the allegations.