Bagos during a condolence visit to Bindi attack victims
Former Member of the House of Representatives for Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, has demanded justice for victims of the July 15, 2025, attack on Bindi in Tahos Village, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He warned that continued impunity for perpetrators would only embolden further bloodshed.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the community on Saturday, Bagos decried the lack of arrests or prosecutions months after the attack.
“Lives were lost and blood was shed. Who is in custody because of this? Who has been charged or convicted? We cannot keep going from one community to another offering condolences. Until justice is served, these attacks will continue. Enough is enough. Our leaders must act,” he said.
The attack on Bindi claimed 27 lives, left many injured, and razed homes, including a church. Bagos said his visit was not only to commiserate but also to offer support. Through his foundation, he donated bundles of roofing sheets and wood to affected households.
He also reiterated his call for a nationwide ban on open grazing, describing it as an outdated practice fueling insecurity. “Allowing open grazing in the 21st century is shameful. It has become a cover for criminal elements, and it must stop if Nigeria is serious about ending insecurity,” he stated.
Community leaders used the visit to reflect on both the presence and shortcomings of government interventions. His Royal Highness, Pastor Kim Nani David Manja, the traditional ruler of Tahos, acknowledged some effort by the state government, including the donation of 80 bundles of zinc and restructuring of Sector 6, which has since made several arrests of stray cattle.
“The Governor came, and a representative of the Federal Government also visited. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs promised to relay our plight to the President. These gestures show concern. But beyond visits, we need concrete action,” the monarch said.
He stressed that residents still felt neglected by the Federal Government. “Every part of this country deserves the President’s attention. We want him to come here, see the damage, and feel the pain of the people. That kind of personal engagement will help him understand the seriousness of the crisis,” he added.
The traditional ruler also renewed the call for state policing, arguing that centralized security control often delays responses. “Sometimes, state agencies must wait for clearance from the federal level before acting. This kind of delay is dangerous. If the Federal Government cannot provide that flexibility, then we must implement state policing. The time has come,” he declared.
For survivors, the trauma remains raw. Rev. Davou Dabi of COCIN LCC Bindi said he lost nine family members and 27 church members in the attack.
“Since the incident happened, I have not been myself. What I witnessed in my own home has left me deeply shaken,” he said.
He added that families have been displaced, children forced out of school, and livelihoods destroyed. “Right now, our people are suffering. Many of us are living as IDPs. We are pleading. We are praying that the Governor and well-meaning NGOs will come to our aid. We just want to rebuild our lives and give our children a future,” he appealed.
