Fear and frustration have become the order of the day in the icy heights of Plateau State. From the quiet farms of Bassa to the thick forests of Barkin Ladi, everyday people are saying, “enough is enough” after the series of attacks that have characterized the region for years now. A handful of locals have decided that they can no longer stand by and watch strangers with guns tear their homes and means of livelihood apart. Their land has bled continuously, and now, they are ready to face the sharp end of the sword in a bid to defend their community from an assault that doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon. In a bid to legalize their advance, they are seeking formal backing from the Federal Government to combine physical combat skills with spiritual traditional tactics in a coordinated effort to reclaim their forests and restore peace.
As terror attacks increase and displacement becomes the order of the day, the call for grassroots action is becoming too loud to ignore.
Growing insecurity pushes grassroots groups to seek government backing
In the last few weeks alone, Plateau State has witnessed brutal assaults that left dozens dead and thousands displaced. The attacks on Zikke and Kakpa communities in Bassa Local Government Area, where over 50 residents were killed, have painted a grim picture of just how vulnerable rural communities have become in the face of this growing menace.
Read Also:
Jos Plateau: Jtown Rising Stars is Creating a Platform for Young Up and Coming Artists In North-Central
Troops who perform exceptionally well in the Plateau receive cash gifts and bicycles.
Investigation to begin over Plateau Market Fire outbreak says council chair
In the ruins of what used to be a very peaceful terrain, survivors sit with haunted eyes, recounting tales of how their lives suddenly took a downward spiral overnight. Some describe the terror of hearing gunshots rip through the stillness of night, of running barefoot into the bush with only the clothes on their backs. Even with soldiers and other law enforcement agents in close proximity, the people feel exposed and on edge like they are sitting at the tip of a loaded gun. This has spurred a massive reaction among the local settlers who believe it’s time to bring in those who know the land like the back of their hands and can sense danger miles ahead as the appointed security agents have failed to protect them repeatedly, over the years.
Can hunters offer deep insight on forest navigation?
Long before the arrival of the masked criminals hiding behind guns and tree trunks, the forests of Plateau State were the domain of hunters who were trained in the art of mapping their surroundings, heightened sensitivity and pattern recognition. Today, those same forests have become hideouts for criminals. Due to the rigorous training that is a ritual in these climes, the hunters still know every bend, every hidden trail and every secret crossing. Their bond with the land is not written in maps; it’s written in their bloodlines. If anyone can outsmart the invaders, it’s them.
Read Also:
Jos Plateau: Jtown Rising Stars is Creating a Platform for Young Up and Coming Artists In North-Central
Troops who perform exceptionally well in the Plateau receive cash gifts and bicycles.
Investigation to begin over Plateau Market Fire outbreak says council chair
Unlike security forces who are often unfamiliar with the terrain, these hunters can navigate dense forests without maps or modern technology. They also possess historical knowledge of the caves, river crossings, and remote enclaves that outsiders rarely access.
Community members argue that with formal training, logistical support, and legal recognition, hunters could significantly reduce the operational space available to kidnappers, bandits, and insurgents.
Spiritual solutions: A complementary backup for physical efforts
Beyond physical prowess, many hunter groups and traditional farmers insist that spiritual methods remain an untapped asset in the fight against insecurity.
In Plateau’s rural communities, traditional rites, spiritual cleansing, and protective charms have long been used to safeguard villages from external threats. Elders, in tell-tales, would often recall times when communities were shielded from raiders through rituals performed under the guidance of local oracles and priests.
Groups like the Agbekoya Farmers’ Society have reportedly used similar measures in the South-West to protect farmlands and villages. Inspired by these practices, local Plateau leaders are advocating for the integration of spiritual strategies alongside modern security measures.
Read Also:
Jos Plateau: Jtown Rising Stars is Creating a Platform for Young Up and Coming Artists In North-Central
Troops who perform exceptionally well in the Plateau receive cash gifts and bicycles.
Investigation to begin over Plateau Market Fire outbreak says council chair
They argue that while guns can fail and soldiers can be outnumbered, spiritual protection, if properly harnessed, could offer an invisible shield for vulnerable communities.
Porous borders remain a critical issue
Over and over, hunters and community leaders shake their heads in frustration as they point at a root cause they all know too well — Nigeria’s open, poorly guarded borders. Armed groups don’t just rise from within; many slip across from neighboring countries, bringing guns, violence, and fear with them. In response, President Bola Tinubu has promised to tighten border security. But for those already living under the shadow of terror in Plateau’s villages, the real question is how soon? Because every day lost is another life at risk.
However, on the ground in Plateau, residents insist that no matter how many soldiers are deployed, nothing beats the effectiveness of local intelligence networks. Hunters, farmers, and vigilantes are often the first to spot strange movements and unfamiliar faces, making them critical to any meaningful border defense strategy.
Pending legislation: Can this change the game?
A very important legislative bill that could change the security landscape awaiting presidential approval at the moment. The bill seeks to legalize the operations of the Nigeria Forest Security Service,a body that will officially incorporate local hunters into the national security framework.
Read Also:
Jos Plateau: Jtown Rising Stars is Creating a Platform for Young Up and Coming Artists In North-Central
Troops who perform exceptionally well in the Plateau receive cash gifts and bicycles.
Investigation to begin over Plateau Market Fire outbreak says council chair
If signed into law, this move would not only legitimize the role of grassroots defenders but also provide funding for training, surveillance equipment, and logistics.
Commanders from the Nigeria Forest Security Service have expressed optimism that formal backing will empower hunters to act swiftly against criminal elements without fear of legal repercussions.
They also emphasize that many among their ranks possess spiritual capabilities that, when combined with physical action, can provide a holistic security approach rarely seen in modern policing.
A Grassroots Push for Peace
Despite the consistent assault that has led to the death and incapacitation of many within this region, the native people of Plateau state have chosen to stand strong. In Riyom, Bassa, Jos South and Barkin Ladi, hunters have pulled out their swords from its sheath and dusted off their old rifles. They have rebuilt the ancient watch posts their forefathers once manned, posted lookouts at the edges of their villages, and revived defense circles where news and warnings can spread faster than gunfire. They are tired, they are grieving, but they are standing shoulder to shoulder refusing to let fear win.
Spiritual ceremonies have also quietly resumed, with traditional priests performing rites to cleanse the land and strengthen communal protection.
Read Also:
Jos Plateau: Jtown Rising Stars is Creating a Platform for Young Up and Coming Artists In North-Central
Troops who perform exceptionally well in the Plateau receive cash gifts and bicycles.
Investigation to begin over Plateau Market Fire outbreak says council chair
While waiting for federal backing, the hunters and farmers are determined not to allow fear to dictate their future. Their message is simple: they know their land, they understand their enemy, and with the right support, they are ready to fight physically and spiritually to reclaim their homes.
The question now remains: will the Federal Government hear their call and trust in the power of community-driven security before more blood is spilled?
