At least, 37 cattle were reportedly shot dead by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Tashek Community of Riyom local government area of Plateau state.
The chairman, Plateau State chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Babayo said the incident occurred around 1pm when a herder was grazing the cattle around the area.
According to Babayo, the herders were attacked while grazing their cattle.
However, the National President of Berom Youths, Barr. Dalyop
Nwantiri, said the gunmen hid in the midst of their cattle to attack innocent citizens.
“What they usually do is to hide among the cattle with sophisticated weapons to attack villages and communities.
“Sometimes if the villagers want to defend themselves they run into the cattle to use them as shields,” he said.
He added, “It is possible that they were the ones that shot themselves and their cattle in the process so that they can justify the terror attacks on innocent citizen.”
The latest attack on grazing cattle occurred barely a week after a similar incident in Tanjol and Shen communities of Riyom and Jos South local government area of the state.
Babayo however described the attack as unprovoked, adding that it was a deliberate move by the perpetrators to achieve a hidden goal.
“Gunmen stormed the area and started shooting at grazing cattle leading to the death of 37 cattle and injuring the herder. Immediately after the attack, I called on the Sector Commander of Operation Safe Haven in Riyom to inform him about the incident who subsequently deployed troops to the scene to assess the situation,” he said.
He further said he had informed heads of security agencies in the state about the incident, adding that “they all acknowledged the report and asked us not to take law into our hands as efforts are being done to arrest the perpetrators.“
Babayo who claimed that attacks on herders and their cattle have been a daily routine, called on his members to remain calm.
“Nobody should take law into their hands. On the latest incident, we are still patient and trusting security to do the needful to bring an end to the crime.
“Considering the series of attacks, in recent time, we believe it is a calculated attempt to undermine our economy and leave us vulnerable,” Babayo said.
Meanwhile, spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, did not respond to a message sent by our correspondent on the incident as at the time of filing this report.
