Gunmen Kill 22-Year-Old Herder, Rustle 15 Cattle In Plateau

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) says gunmen have attacked herders in Izovo community, Miango District of Bassa local government area of Plateau State and killed a herder and five cattle, and rustling 15 others.

MACBAN gave the name of the deceased as Aliyu Abdulrazak.

The latest incident occurred less than 24 hours after a similar attack was launched on herders around the same Izovo village where eight cattle were killed by unknown gunmen.

Ya’u Idris, MACBAN chairman, Bassa LGA, while narrating the incident to journalists on Monday in Jos, said the attack occurred around 3 pm on Sunday while the herders were grazing.

He said, “The attackers stormed the grazing area and started shooting sporadically, killing the deceased and five cattle and rustling 15. They killed the herder and dumped his body in a shallow grave.

“Security agencies from Operation Enduring Peace, together with our members, went to the area and recovered the corpse. The sector commander of the operation and the executive chairman of Bassa have all witnessed the burial. This attack is unprovoked because no crime has been committed against anyone,” Idris said.

Condemning the incident, the state chairman of the group, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, described the killing as senseless.

“Aliyu Abdulrazak was carrying out his lawful and peaceful grazing activities when he was brutally attacked and killed. This senseless act of violence is not only inhumane but also a grave violation of the fundamental right to life.

“MACBAN viewed this incident as unacceptable and called on security agencies to urgently investigate, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for this barbaric act. Justice must be served to deter further occurrences and restore confidence among herders and law-abiding citizens.

The association remains committed to peace and will continue to support all lawful efforts aimed at ensuring harmony and security for all, “ Babayo added.

When contacted on the development, Danjuma Dickson Auta, former National Secretary of Irigwe Development Association (IDA), confirmed that the incident happened in the area but dissociated their members from the crime.

He said, “It has happened, but we don’t know the perpetrators. We believe the perpetrators are not from our land. It is purely a crime aimed at tarnishing the image of our people. We are therefore calling on the security agencies to track down those responsible and bring them to justice, irrespective of who they are.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycarp Oteh, has yet to respond to a text message from our correspondent regarding the incident at the time of filing this report.