Eyewitness Account: Allegations of Military Complicity Surface After Plateau Attacks

Photo Credit: VDM

JOS, PLATEAU STATE — In a harrowing account from the front lines of the ongoing insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, the Youth Leader of the Northern Plateau has come forward with grave allegations regarding a deadly assault that occurred on Palm Sunday in the Anguwa area.

The witness, who coordinates the northern zone under the Plateau Youth Council and was born and raised in the affected community, provided a detailed testimony of an attack that began around 7:30 PM.

The Attack

The youth leader reported that gunmen unexpectedly invaded the area, opening fire and using machetes on residents. He described the attackers as wearing "half-camouflage"—military-style attire—along with veils around their necks. According to the account, the assailants were speaking both Hausa and Fulani languages as they "sprayed bullets" and moved through the community.

Allegations of Military Cover

The most critical aspect of the testimony involves the reported arrival of the Nigerian Army during the heat of the conflict. The witness alleged that as the local youth mobilized to pursue the attackers, two military Hilux vans and three motorcycles arrived at the scene.

Instead of engaging the assailants, the witness claimed:

The military personnel blocked the local youth, preventing them from entering the area where the killings were still taking place.

Soldiers allegedly fired shots into the air and at the ground; the youth leader reported a soldier nearly shot him in the leg.

The witness explicitly stated that the military presence provided "cover" for the attackers, allowing them to operate for 30 minutes to an hour before withdrawing.

"The army [stayed] for like 30 minutes to 1 hour. We [were] not able to pursue the attackers... until when the attackers went off, they now left."

Unidentified Personnel

The youth leader highlighted several anomalies regarding the security forces present. He noted that the men in the Hilux vans lacked name tags and that some of the weaponry used appeared to be specific to the Department of State Services (DSS), specifically "black short guns" used to beat and suppress the local youth. He further noted that he had never seen these specific soldiers or trucks in the area before, despite his long-term leadership role in the community.

Intelligence and Prior Warnings

The report also touched upon a chilling social media warning that allegedly preceded the violence. According to local sources, a message had circulated stating that an attack would occur after the Salah holiday. The witness specifically named a northern content creator, "Danfo," as having publicly promised an attack on the region.

The Human Cost and Ongoing Crisis

This latest incident adds to the long history of massacres in Plateau and Benue States—regions that have seen repeated cycles of violence in Bokos and Rukuba. While the state government has indicated that mass burials will not take place in favor of individual services, the fundamental question remains for the residents: When does it stop?

The youth leader confirmed that local evidence, including spent ammunition casings left by the military, has been collected. Investigative journalists and local advocates have vowed to officially write to the government to demand an inquiry into these claims of complicity and the role of the mentioned content creator in inciting the violence.

Reporter: Angelkay.