By SAMSON ILIYA
In Plateau State, insecurity has evolved from a sporadic concern to a constant shadow over daily life. What was once a serene landscape, filled with vibrant markets and bustling streets, has now become a place where fear dictates movement, trade and social interaction.
Car theft, ‘one-chance’ scams,and street robberies have become routine, while street boys, once seen as harmless, now block roads and prey on unsuspecting residents under the guise of ‘hustle’.
Rising crime amid socio-economic strain
These problems do not arise in a vacuum. Economic hardship, ethnic tension and a perceived lack of effective governance have created fertile ground for criminal activity. Unemployment, particularly among the youth who make up a large part of the population, remains high.
With few legitimate opportunities, some young people are turning to illegal activities simply to survive.Community leaders and local NGOs have raised alarms about the growing number of youth drawn into crime by desperation and, in some cases, the misplaced loyalty of gang affiliation. This shift has torn at the moral fabric of communities and deepened cycles of violence.
The human toll is devastating: lives are lost, survivors are left with physical and psychological scars and families struggle to recover.
Tales of survival, trauma
For Danboyi Samson, a routine evening gradually turned into a nightmare. After visiting his elder brother near the Open University in Nyango, Gyel, Jos South LGA, on a Thursday, he walked towards the Building Materials Market, unaware of the danger ahead.
Three young men stopped him.“They asked for my phone,” he recalls, still shaken. “I refused, and that’s when things escalated.”
The encounter quickly turned violent. Surrounded with no escape, he fought for his life. “I didn’t see it coming,” he says. One assailant struck him with a piece of wood, leaving him bloodied and unconscious. Bystanders, assuming it was a simple fight, rushed to help, but the attackers fled.
Danboyi was taken to a hospital in Nyango, lucky to be alive but permanently scarred in body and mind. “I still hear their voices in my dreams,” he admits.Mr Jonah, a businessman in the same Nyango, Gyel, had always considered his home a sanctuary behind a locked gate.
One morning, that illusion shattered.“I came out and found my motorcycle gone,” he says, disbelief etched on his face. Despite having locked it the night before, it had been stolen. Neighbours had seen nothing. “It’s like living in a war zone where fear is normal.” The motorcycle was not just property; it was his livelihood, a tool for work and income. Such crimes ripple outward, affecting families and the local economy.
Another survivor, Dawang Benjamin, recounted being found unconscious after a harrowing ordeal. Returning from his father at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), he entered a keke around 5 p.m. with two passengers already seated inside. What happened next is hazy.
But he woke the following day in his father’s car, confused and injured.“I only remember entering the keke. Then I was lying near Lamingo Dam,” he recounts. He overheard one assailant say they should kill him, while another argued he was innocent. His phone had been stolen.
Benjamin’s sister, driving home from the hospital, saw a crowd near the dam and found her brother. She rushed him to the hospital, where he was treated for heavy nose bleeding and other injuries. Doctors continue to monitor his condition.
Local authorities have not confirmed details, and his family urges witnesses to come forward. Residents are calling for increased patrols and security. His family remains hopeful for recovery and justice.
Wider impact on Plateau
The ordeals of Danboyi, Jonah and Benjamin reflect a wider crisis across Plateau. Local businesses lose customers as residents avoid markets out of fear.
The rise of street gangs comprised of disillusioned youth has led to a spike in vigilantism, as some residents take justice into their own hands, often sparking further violence and perpetuating a seemingly unbreakable cycle.
The socio-economic impact stretches beyond immediate victims. Businesses hesitate to operate, investment drops, unemployment rises and poverty deepens. Markets once vibrant with trade now bear the memories of violence, forcing sellers to reduce prices or close entirely.
Education, too, suffers. Parents keep children at home to ensure safety, while schools, meant to be centres of learning, become spaces of anxiety.
Sarah Monday observes: “The bright future envisioned for Plateau’s youth dims in the shadow of violence.”Former Berom Youth Moulders Association Chairman, Sylvester Dung, points out that community leaders, NGOs and government must act.
He advocates for job creation, vocational training and increased police presence in vulnerable areas.“Rebuilding trust with law enforcement is crucial,” he says. “We need partnership and police presence that supports, not intimidates.”
Addressing root causes such as youth unemployment and limited educational opportunities requires long-term investment from both government and private sectors.
Entrepreneurial and skills-training initiatives could help turn the tide.The stories of Danboyi Samson, Dawang Benjamin and Plangshak Jonah are stark reminders of the human costs of insecurity.
Yet, even amid fear, resilience remains, as does hope for meaningful change.As communities unite in calls for action, these personal narratives must serve as catalysts for reform.
By understanding individual experiences, policymakers and leaders may find the urgency to implement lasting solutions.In recognition of the challenges ahead, it is essential for the people of Plateau to stay steadfast, weaving their shared stories into a collective narrative that empowers confrontation and eventual overcoming of the shadows of fear.
Together, they can forge a path towards security and prosperity, ensuring that Plateau’s story ends not in tragedy, but in resilience and hope.