A former Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Dr Fom Gwottson Dalyop, has condemned the renewed wave of violent attacks on communities across the state, lamenting that no fewer than 30 persons have been killed in the past two weeks.
Speaking in Jos on Sunday, Dalyop expressed concern over what he described as the failure of security agencies to prevent the attacks, despite reported prior intelligence shared by residents, including on social media platforms.
He called for a thorough investigation into what he termed “strange happenings,” noting that warnings of impending attacks were often circulated ahead of the incidents.
The former lawmaker, who represented Jos South State Constituency, also criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for organising the presentation of a membership card to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on the same day victims of recent attacks were being given a mass burial in Jos South Local Government Area, describing the action as insensitive.
“I think it is insensitive for the APC to hold the occasion on the same day those victims were being buried. That’s my worry,” he said.
Assessing the security situation in the state, Dalyop said attacks in Fan community, the Bum community and Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area had heightened fear among residents.
According to him, 12 persons were killed in Fan community about two weeks ago, nine others were reportedly killed on New Year’s Eve, while seven more were killed in a recent attack in Qua’an-Pan LGA.
“That means within two weeks or thereabout, we have lost no fewer than 30 persons through attacks. So the situation calls for serious concern,” he said.
On the possible cause of the renewed attacks, Dalyop said intelligence about planned assaults was often available ahead of time but security agencies failed to act decisively.
“They are always flying on social media that there is going to be an attack along this axis or that axis, and the attacks will happen as predicted. It is baffling why the military and other security agencies did not live up to expectations to defend the people,” he said.
He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to prevent further escalation of violence, warning that the state appeared to be sliding back into widespread insecurity.
Dalyop also reacted to Governor Mutfwang’s defection to the APC, stating that members of the Peoples Democratic Party would continue to support the governor, noting that the party’s votes brought him to office.
“For some of us who love him, we will continue to support the governor. We want him to succeed and deliver the dividends of democracy to the Plateau people,” he said.
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Meanwhile, investigations revealed that between December 16, 2025, and January 4, 2026, about 30 persons were killed in separate attacks across Plateau State, with several houses razed and many residents displaced.
The latest attack was reported on Friday, January 2, 2026, when gunmen invaded Bong Village in Doemak District of Qua’an-Pan LGA, killing seven persons. Eyewitnesses said the attackers carried out house-to-house raids, targeting women, children and the elderly.
Earlier, bandits were reported to have attacked a mining site in Fan community, Barkin Ladi LGA, killing 12 persons, while separate attacks in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas also resulted in deaths, injuries and abductions.
The Plateau State Government had earlier announced the deployment of 1,450 personnel of Operation Rainbow to strengthen security, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it deployed 2,608 personnel across the state during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached as of press time.