1,107 Killed, 27,330 Farms Destroyed As Irigwe Tribe In Plateau Faces Extinction
The Irigwe nation, Nigerian tribe in Plateau State, has suffered 1,107 deaths and the destruction of 27,330 farms since 2001 as violence continues to ravage their communities.
Despite numerous peace efforts and interventions by both Federal and State Governments, killings and attacks have persisted, with the latest incident occurring on April 2, 2025 claimed the life of 33-year-old Dewi Terry Nah, who was stabbed to death near the Twin Hill Area between Jebbu-Miango and Miango Town in Plateau State.
The Irigwe people in Plateau State are found in Kwall and Miango Towns in Bassa and Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. They are predominantly agrarian and skilled in various trades, but have trapped in a cycle of violence that began in 2001 following the brutal murder of a prominent elder and his family by suspected herders.
In a statement signed by Daniel Gya, President of the Irigwe Traditional Council; Danjuma Auta, General Secretary and Samuel Jugo David, Public Relations Officer, made available to Journalists at the weekend in Jos, the Community said since then the Area had been plagued by attacks on farmers and farms as well as ambushes on individuals, causing widespread insecurity.
“According to research conducted by Mr. Barrie, from 2001 to March 2025, a total of 2,866 incidents, 1,107 deaths, 412 injuries, 2 rapes, 20,836 rooms destroyed, 742 barns and 27,330 farms were recorded. Most of the victims are languishing in abject poverty, unable to fend for their families at the time of this reportâ€, the statement noted.
The statement added that herders had been largely responsible for the violence, which escalated from ambushes and crop destruction to killings with firearms, beginning in 2025.
The Community explained that one of the deadliest attacks occurred on December 22, 2024, in Ri Do (Gidan Ado), where 14 people, including a pregnant woman and a one-year-old child, were killed despite the proximity of a security checkpoint. The incident, according to them also left two others severely injured, highlighting the ineffectiveness of existing security measures.
“Following the attack, AE Abubakar, the then General Officer Commanding 3 Division visited the Area, offering condolences and promising to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Between January and March 2025, there have been 58 incidents, resulting in eight deaths, eight injuries, and the destruction of more than 50 farms. The situation has reached a crisis point, with many families left in poverty and unable to provide for their basic needs. The destruction of farmlands has further devastated the Irigwe Community, who rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoodsâ€, the statement added.
The statement stated that in response to the ongoing violence, the Irigwe Traditional Council and the Irigwe Development Association (IDA) had repeatedly called for action from both the Federal and Plateau State Governments.
The Irigwe Traditional Council complained that despite the signing of a Peace Pact in 2022 and the formation of a Peace Implementation Committee in 2024, sporadic skirmishes continued to plague the Area undermining the efforts made by concerned stakeholders.
The Council said the Plateau State Government led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, promised to establish a Mobile Police Barracks in the Area to bolster security. However, the people of Irigwe remain skeptical, fearing that without decisive action, their Community may be pushed to the brink of extinction.
The Council however appealed to the Authorities to intervene and prevent further bloodshed, warning that continued violence might force them to resort to self-defence.
The community therefore called for a united effort to bring an end to the violence with a fear that if peace was not restored soon, their ancestral land would be lost forever.
Source:- Businessdayng
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