Plateau attacks: MYM raises alarm over ethnic threat targeting Mwaghavul people
Mwaghavul Youth Movement Raises Alarm Over Ethnic Threats in Plateau State
Members of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement (MYM) have expressed grave concerns regarding what they characterize as a dangerous ethnic threat aimed at the Mwaghavul people in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The MYM’s alarm follows a report detailing an incident involving the abduction of two clergymen along the Barkin Ladi-Bokkos road last week. It was reported that the kidnappers stated they would have killed one of the pastors had he been identified as either Mwaghavul or Berom.
Pastor Gabriel Dipak, who was abducted alongside Pastor Emmanuel Hills—who ultimately lost his life to the kidnappers—described the harrowing experience after his release. He recounted the bandits’ chilling words, indicating they would have executed him immediately if he were from either of those ethnic groups.
In a statement released on Saturday, MYM’s Director of Public Affairs, Tubwot Joël Sunday, voiced the organization’s concerns. The statement emphasized the troubling reality that members of the Mwaghavul ethnic group are being specifically targeted by terrorists and bandits.
The MYM contended that such threats should not be dismissed as mere acts of banditry, asserting that they suggest a deliberate profiling of the Mwaghavul people for potential elimination by armed groups. According to the organization, the implications of criminals selecting victims based on ethnic identity create a perilous environment for travel in parts of Plateau State, potentially endangering lives based solely on ethnicity.
The group stated that unchecked ethnic targeting could exacerbate fear and suspicion among communities that have coexisted for years. While the MYM refrained from speculating on ongoing security investigations, they pointed out that the timing and nature of the recent killings in Mangu—coupled with the explicit threats against Berom and Mwaghavul people—necessitate a prompt, intelligence-driven inquiry into possible patterns of ethnic targeting.
Additionally, the MYM urged the Mwaghavul community to remain vigilant, enhance early-warning systems, avoid travel on vulnerable routes after dark, and report any suspicious activities. The group cautioned against any form of reprisal or collective punishment against innocent individuals based on ethnicity or religion.
