Christian Farmers Face Increased Security Risks in Nigeria's Plateau State

Christian farmers in the Irigwe communities of Plateau State, Nigeria, are facing severe security challenges as a series of deadly ambushes disrupts local agriculture. Community leaders report that armed men, suspected to be Fulani militias, have increasingly targeted individuals traveling to and from their fields in the Bassa Local Government Area. According to Sunday Gado, chair of the Miango Youth Development Association, at least 27 people have been killed in such attacks this year.

Recent incidents include the death of 60-year-old Bulus Turu, who was killed near the Ancha community in late July. Local representatives, including Joseph Chudu Yonkpa of the Irigwe Youth Movement, have expressed frustration with security agencies, alleging that authorities have failed to act on repeated warnings regarding armed movements in the region. Many farmers now fear for their livelihoods, as the threat of violence forces them to choose between abandoning their land or risking their lives to secure a harvest. Vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly, remain at the highest risk as they often travel to their farms without the protection of a group.