A coalition of indigenous youth groups in Plateau State has alleged that more than 250 people have been killed by armed bandits in recent attacks across several communities, while nearly 47,000 registered voters have been displaced ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Chairman of the Northern Zone Coalition of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Dalyop Mwantiri, made the claims during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Jos.
According to Mwantiri, at least 50 people were killed in attacks recorded over the past three weeks in communities including Mushere, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa.
He further alleged that more than 200 persons had earlier lost their lives within the last five months in the same axis before the deployment of operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), bringing the total death toll to over 250.
Mwantiri lamented that despite the killings and widespread displacement, affected communities were yet to receive adequate justice and protection.
He said many residents had fled their ancestral homes, leaving farmlands abandoned and livelihoods destroyed as insecurity continued to worsen.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed that 46,983 registered voters have been displaced by the violence, posing a significant challenge to preparations for the 2027 general election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Plateau State, Sam Elegwu, said the displaced persons are spread across eight local government areas—Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos South, Mangu, Kanam, Riyom and Kanke.
According to him, the affected areas comprise 95 registration areas, with 29 wards currently hosting displaced populations.
Elegwu explained that INEC has commenced mapping the affected communities and compiling data to ensure internally displaced persons are not disenfranchised during the 2027 elections.
He added that electoral officers have been directed to identify displaced voters, verify their present locations and determine the status of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), including those requiring replacement or fresh registration.
The electoral commission said the exercise is aimed at ensuring eligible voters displaced by insecurity are able to participate in the next general election despite the humanitarian challenges.
