Diaspora Organisation Raises Alarm Over Escalating Killings in Plateau and Middle Belt

A major Nigerian diaspora organisation has issued a stern warning over what it describes as a deliberate and coordinated campaign of violence targeting Christian communities in Plateau State and across the Middle Belt.

In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, the Plateau State Association USA (PSA-USA) said repeated attacks in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Kanam and neighbouring areas show clear patterns of organised killings, forced displacement, destruction of homes and farmlands, and the systematic dismantling of local livelihoods.

The group’s national president, Dr. Barth Shepkong, said the violent incidents are not isolated or spontaneous, but part of a “sustained operation” aimed at uprooting indigenous communities from their ancestral territories. He described the situation as a form of genocide driven by targeted persecution and enforced through what he labelled a continuing occupation strategy.

Dr. Shepkong criticised what he called a longstanding failure of political will, accusing authorities of neglecting to confront armed groups responsible for the attacks or to strengthen protection for vulnerable populations. According to him, the country’s silence and slow response have emboldened perpetrators and deepened the humanitarian crisis.

He warned that the ongoing bloodshed threatens regional stability and insisted that any attempt to downplay the scale of the crisis would undermine genuine peace-building efforts. “Mass killings cannot be normalised,” he said, urging leaders to confront the reality rather than hide behind political convenience.

PSA-USA called for urgent investigations, arrests, and prosecution of those responsible, both attackers and their alleged sponsors, without interference. The group also demanded immediate humanitarian intervention for displaced families, reforms in security deployment, and community-led protection systems to prevent further assaults.

In addition, the organisation appealed for the reconstruction of devastated communities and the safe return of displaced residents. It urged the Federal Government to partner with international allies, including the United States, to strengthen justice mechanisms and expand relief efforts.

PSA-USA highlighted its ongoing support through the R64 Diaspora Campaign Fund, noting that its assistance currently spans all 17 local governments and 64 wards of Plateau State. Dr. Shepkong said the group’s position is rooted in justice and human dignity, stressing that affected communities are not seeking sympathy but demanding accountability and the restoration of peace.