Fulani Coalition Denies Role in Plateau Violence

The Coalition of Fulani Registered Organizations (COFRO) has rejected what it describes as the unfair labeling of Fulani herders as perpetrators of violence in Plateau State.

At a press conference in Jos on Thursday, Sale Yusuf Adamu, COFRO chairman in Bokkos Local Government Area, insisted that herders are not the aggressors but rather victims of the unrest.

The remarks came after the Bokkos Concerned Youth (BCY) alleged that Fulani herders were responsible for the killing of over 200 people and the destruction of more than 300 communities in Bokkos LGA.

Adamu denied the accusations, stating:

• No herder has been arrested or charged in connection with the attacks.

• Fulani communities have themselves suffered killings, livestock theft, and destruction of homes.

• Armed local militias have displaced numerous Fulani families, seizing their ancestral lands.

According to him, more than 50 Fulani communities in Bokkos have been sacked, including BFP Farms, Makada, Woshen, Rui, Angwan Abuja, Getel, Bot, Faranti, Marish, Cherget, Mangwan, Machambe, Kwatas, Dimish 1 and 2, Wumat 1 and 2, Dakin Kowa, Chikam 2, Garau, and Bakanu, among others.

Adamu also rejected claims that Fulani herders collaborate with security agencies to attack communities. He questioned how herders could infiltrate the security forces so easily and warned that such accusations are dangerous and could incite unrest.

He described the charges as “untrue, hazardous, and speculative,” saying they risk provoking tensions between Fulani residents and security personnel.

Despite the grievances, COFRO urged calm. Adamu appealed to:

• Government at all levels

• Security agencies

• Stakeholders and peace-loving citizens

• The international community

…to disregard what he called false accusations and instead support peace efforts in Plateau State.

The Plateau crisis remains one of Nigeria’s most complex security challenges, with competing claims of victimhood among communities. Statements like COFRO’s highlight the contested narratives around violence in the region, making dialogue and reconciliation even more urgent.