Despite Loss Of Over 500 Cattle, Group Urges Fulani Youths To Embrace Dialogue, Not Reprisal
By: Labaran Ahmed
Despite alleging the loss of more than 500 cattle to rustling between September and October 2026, the Fulani Youths Advocacy for Peace in Plateau State (FYAPPS) has called on Fulani youths to reject reprisal attacks and embrace dialogue, insisting that peace, justice and lawful engagement remain the best paths towards resolving the state's security challenges.
The group made the appeal on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during a press conference in Jos, where it expressed concern over reported attacks on herders and their livestock in parts of Plateau State, while urging residents to resist actions capable of escalating tensions along ethnic and religious lines.
The appeal comes amid heightened security concerns in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas, where curfews have been imposed by the state government following recent attacks and killings.
Addressing journalists, FYAPPS Chairman Abubakar Salisu said the organisation considered it necessary to speak out in support of peaceful coexistence, particularly at a time when fear, suspicion, anger and grief were affecting relationships among communities.
He urged Fulani youths and other residents not to allow the loss of lives, livestock or property to become a justification for revenge.
"As conscious youths who are genuinely committed to lasting peace in Plateau State, we consider it necessary to call on our people, irrespective of tribal and religious affiliations, to sheath their swords and jettison anger, hatred, bitterness and the desire for revenge," the group said.
FYAPPS maintained that retaliatory attacks would only deepen the crisis, endanger innocent lives and undermine efforts by the government, community leaders and security agencies to restore normalcy.
The group alleged that more than 500 cattle had been rustled between September and October 2026, alongside reported attacks and killings involving herders in Mangu, Riyom, Bassa and Barkin Ladi local government areas.
According to FYAPPS, the incidents have inflicted severe economic hardship on affected families whose livelihoods depend on livestock rearing.
It said cattle remained a major source of income and sustenance for many herders, warning that the loss of livestock could push vulnerable households further into poverty and make their recovery increasingly difficult.
The group called on security agencies to investigate the reported incidents, recover stolen livestock where possible and bring those responsible to justice.
The allegations, including the figure of more than 500 cattle, had not been independently verified at the time of filing this report.
Despite the grievances it presented, FYAPPS stressed that the appropriate response was to seek justice through lawful channels rather than resort to self-help.
It urged Fulani youths to remain calm and cooperate with relevant authorities, expressing confidence that the government and security agencies could address their concerns through investigation and constructive engagement.
Beyond cattle rustling, FYAPPS expressed concern over what it described as attacks on Fulani communities, the destruction of homes and the alleged killing of innocent herders by some security operatives and other armed groups.
The group specifically called for an investigation into the reported killing of Adamu Sulieman, popularly known as Mato, from Mararaba Dare in Bassa Local Government Area, whom it alleged was killed by Mobile Police operatives on October 20.
It also cited an alleged incident in Mahanga, Riyom Local Government Area, on October 18, during which it claimed that security operatives searched houses and shops and took food items, domestic animals and money belonging to residents.
Among those it identified as alleged victims was Aliyu Isa of Bangai village, who the group claimed lost a new motorcycle and ₦300,000. It also mentioned Isa Alh Nyako of Dogo village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
The group called on Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the General Officer Commanding the 3rd Armoured Division, Jos, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services in the state to investigate the allegations and ensure accountability where wrongdoing was established.
The claims against the security personnel could not be independently confirmed from the information available for this report. The agencies concerned had not provided responses for inclusion.
FYAPPS, however, clarified that its concerns should not be interpreted as opposition to legitimate security operations. "We are not against the security agencies carrying out their responsibilities as required by law, but such responsibilities must be exercised within the confines of the law," the group stated.
It maintained that effective security operations and respect for citizens' rights must go hand in hand, warning that unresolved allegations of unlawful killings, theft and destruction of property could undermine public confidence and intensify existing tensions.
The group expressed appreciation to Governor Mutfwang for what it described as his concern for affected herders and his engagement with Fulani leaders on issues relating to security and peaceful coexistence.
It also commended the governor for the reported inclusion of affected herders among beneficiaries of an intervention involving the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Plateau State Government.
According to FYAPPS, continued engagement between the government and community leaders offered an opportunity to address grievances and prevent further deterioration of the security situation.
The group appealed to the governor to extend humanitarian assistance to herders who had suffered losses, arguing that support for affected families would help ease their hardship and strengthen confidence in peaceful solutions.
It emphasised that assistance should be guided by compassion and the need to protect innocent citizens, irrespective of their ethnic or religious identities.
FYAPPS also urged the government to ensure that communities affected by violence received appropriate attention, including support for recovery and efforts to restore peaceful relations.
In a message directed at Fulani youths, the group urged them not to allow anger or frustration to dictate their actions, stressing that taking the law into their own hands could expose innocent people to further suffering.
It called on young people to cooperate with community leaders, provide credible information to relevant authorities and pursue grievances through peaceful and lawful means.
The group equally appealed to other ethnic and religious communities in Plateau State to avoid inflammatory statements, reject collective blame and refrain from actions capable of provoking retaliatory violence.
It said individuals should be held accountable for their actions without attributing wrongdoing to entire ethnic or religious communities.
According to FYAPPS, sustainable peace would require fairness, justice, restraint and a willingness by all parties to resolve disputes through dialogue.
The group extended its appeal to the federal and state governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations and security agencies, urging them to intensify efforts to protect lives, investigate attacks and rebuild trust among communities.
It said peace could not be achieved through security operations alone without addressing grievances, protecting livelihoods and ensuring that those responsible for criminal acts faced justice.
FYAPPS urged all residents to recognise that continued violence would undermine agriculture, trade, education and economic activities, further worsening the hardship already experienced by many households.
The group concluded that dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation must remain central to efforts to restore lasting peace in Plateau State. "Without peace, there will be no progress and development," it declared.
