Plateau Communities Demand Resolution of Insecurity Linked to Grazing, Unregulated Mining
Communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State have expressed growing anxiety over the increasing impact of night-time cattle grazing and unlawful mining operations, describing both issues as serious threats to peace, food production, and economic stability ahead of the 2026 farming season.
During a series of stakeholder engagements held in the area, community heads, farmers, youth leaders, and traditional authorities voiced frustration over the activities taking place after dark.
According to participants, the movement of cattle through farmlands at night has resulted in significant crop destruction, worsening already fragile relations between pastoralists and farming families.
Residents also pointed to the steady expansion of illegal mining sites across the locality. They noted that unregulated extraction activities have contributed to environmental degradation and diverted many young people from agriculture and education into risky informal mining work in search of quick income.
The alarm comes against the backdrop of persistent insecurity in Plateau State, where Barkin Ladi has repeatedly witnessed violent incidents connected to armed groups and disputes over land and resources.
In December 2025, a deadly attack on an illegal mining site in the Ratoso Fan District left at least 12 miners dead.
Witnesses said gunmen stormed the location at night and opened fire on workers. Several bodies were recovered, while others were reportedly unaccounted for in the aftermath of the assault.
More recently, another shooting occurred near an illegal mining site in Taran Village.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed that two people lost their lives and four others sustained injuries when unidentified attackers struck the area.
The incident further heightened concerns about the vulnerability of remote mining locations, particularly those operating outside legal frameworks.
Security analysts argue that such attacks reflect broader instability in parts of Plateau, where isolated mining fields and grazing corridors have become flashpoints for violence and criminal activity.
Beyond the security dimension, community members highlighted the environmental cost of unauthorized mining. Open pits, degraded soil, and damaged farmlands have reportedly reduced agricultural productivity in several villages. Farmers say abandoned excavation sites pose both safety hazards and long-term ecological risks.
At the same time, the lure of quick financial returns from informal mining has led some youths to abandon schooling and farming, exposing them to dangerous working conditions without legal protections.
Farmers have also decried the continued destruction of crops by cattle grazing at night, despite existing state regulations intended to curb open grazing. They insist that stronger enforcement is necessary to prevent further losses and reduce friction between herders and host communities.
Local leaders are calling on both Plateau State and federal authorities to take decisive measures to restore order. Among their demands are tighter security patrols, strict enforcement against illegal mining and night grazing, and the promotion of structured livestock management systems such as ranching.
They also emphasized the need for job creation programs and a more regulated mining framework that would allow communities to benefit economically without compromising safety or the environment.
With tensions still simmering, residents say swift and coordinated government action will be critical to preventing further violence and ensuring that the upcoming farming season proceeds without disruption.
