Gunmen Kill Herder, Shoots 21 Cattle In Plateau

Suspected gunmen reportedly killed a herders and shots 21 cattle in Diyan village, Riyom District, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State

The state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, told journalists in Jos on Monday that the deceased identified as Rabiu Aliyu Ya’u.

He said the attack occurred around 12:00 noon while the cattle were grazing.

Babayo described the attack as unprovoked, noting that the herders were grazing peacefully. He added that one herder escaped the attack.

“It is unfortunate and unprovoked attack. The herders were going about their normal business peacefully when the perpetrators attacked them.

“They shot 21 cattle. Eight of them died instantly while the remaining ones were critically injured and cannot survive. This act represents a grave violation of human rights and a serious threat to peaceful coexistence in the area. We have right like any other citizen of Nigeria to go about our lawful activities.

“It reflects a troubling pattern of violence against innocent pastoralists who are only engaged in their lawful means of livelihood. The continued loss of lives and destruction of property is deeply concerning and must not be allowed to persist,” the chairman added.

Babayo called on the state government and security agencies to fulfill their constitutional duty to protect lives and property, urging them to investigate the attack, arrest the perpetrators, and ensure justice.

The chairman appealed for calm and asked members to remain law-abiding and avoid taking the law into their hands, stressing that “MACBAN remains committed to dialogue and peaceful coexistence as the only path to lasting peace,” he said.

MACBAN has repeatedly accused Berom youths of being responsible for the attacks but the National President of Berom Youth Molders-Association, Barrister Solomon Dalyop, has consistently denied the allegations, insisting that its members have no hand in the attacks.

Meanwhile, spokespersons of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycarp Oteh and Plateau State Police Command, SP Alabo Alfred, did not respond to text message sent by our correspondent at press time.