GAFDAN dismisses allegations of attacks on Fulani communities in Plateau

Ogundele Eniola

The Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) has dismissed allegations linking Fulani communities to recent attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing the reports as false, misleading and capable of escalating the already fragile security situation in the state. The association urged the public to rely on verified information and avoid narratives that could inflame ethnic tensions.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, GAFDAN rejected claims made by a group known as the Association of Plateau Peace Practitioners (APPP), which had accused Fulani communities of launching attacks on indigenous residents in Bokkos. The association maintained that the allegations were unfounded and lacked credible evidence, insisting that Fulani communities in the area have themselves been victims of recurring violence and displacement.

According to GAFDAN, portraying an entire ethnic group as perpetrators of violence without thorough investigations risks deepening mistrust among communities and undermining ongoing peacebuilding efforts. The association called on security agencies to conduct impartial investigations into all reported incidents and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted irrespective of their ethnic or religious background.

READ ALSO; Amotekun rescues two abducted Fulani herders in Ondo–Edo forest

The group further appealed to community leaders, civil society organisations and the media to exercise restraint in their public statements, warning that inflammatory rhetoric and unverified accusations could trigger reprisals in communities already grappling with insecurity.

Plateau State has for years remained one of Nigeria’s most volatile flashpoints, with recurring conflicts involving farming and herding communities, disputes over land and grazing routes, and attacks by armed criminal groups. These incidents have resulted in the loss of lives, displacement of thousands of residents and destruction of livelihoods, while successive governments continue to pursue security operations and peace initiatives aimed at restoring stability.

While violence on the ground remains a major concern, analysts say another battle is increasingly shaping conflicts in Plateau Statethe battle over information. Competing narratives, viral social media posts and unverified claims often spread faster than official investigations, making it difficult for citizens to distinguish facts from misinformation.

Security experts warn that misinformation can be as dangerous as armed attacks. False or exaggerated reports have the potential to fuel revenge killings, heighten ethnic suspicion, undermine peace negotiations and erode public confidence in security institutions. In conflict-prone communities, a single misleading report can spark cycles of violence that take months or even years to resolve.

Observers argue that sustainable peace in Plateau requires more than military deployments. It also depends on responsible journalism, fact-based reporting, effective community dialogue and transparent investigations that hold individual offendersnot entire ethnic communitiesaccountable for criminal acts.

As tensions continue in parts of Plateau State, GAFDAN’s response underscores the importance of allowing security agencies to establish the facts while encouraging all stakeholders to prioritise dialogue over division. In a state where misinformation can be as destructive as violence itself, accurate reporting and responsible public communication remain essential tools for protecting lives, preserving trust and strengthening Nigeria’s national security.