Fresh Bloodshed In Plateau As Gunmen Attack Herders

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Tragedy again struck in Plateau State as unidentified gunmen stormed Aloghom community in Mangu Local Government Area, killing three herders and slaughtering about 50 cattle.

The incident occurred barely 24 hours after another herder, Yakubu Ishaku, was ambushed and killed in the nearby Nyerwe community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

The latest bloodshed has heightened concerns over the escalating violence in the North Central region.

Local leaders expressed shock over the back-to-back attacks, with Hashimu Yahaya, Coordinator of the Fulbe Fulani Development Association in Mangu LGA, condemning the latest ambush as a brutal assault on individuals carrying out their daily livelihoods.

Yahaya identified the young victims as Garzali Shaibu, 18; Bashiru Yakubu, 14; and Salim Abubakar, 15.

The Plateau State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, also confirmed the incident.

According to Babayo, the assailants stormed the grazing area and caught the victims off guard, opening fire indiscriminately while they were tending to their livestock.

He said: “The herders were just tending to their cattle when suddenly the perpetrators attacked and started shooting sporadically. On Thursday, they killed a herder and 18 cattle around Nyerwe. Today, three herders and 50 cattle were killed.

“This is an unprovoked attack because the herders were going about their peaceful activities. It is obvious that it is a calculated attempt to cleanse Fulani herders and destroy their means of livelihood in Plateau.

We have informed all the relevant security agencies in the state, including DSS and Operation Enduring Peace.”
The MACBAN chairman condemned the attack and urged herders in the state to remain calm and law-abiding.

“I call on all herding communities to remain calm as security forces have been informed about the situation. Nobody should take the law into their hands.

“We are calling on all security agencies in the state to investigate those responsible for this incident and ensure justice is done for the victims. This is one too many,” he said.

However, official confirmation from the military remained unavailable as of the time of publication.

The military task force spokesperson, Captain Polycarp Oteh, could not be reached for comment.