Plateau: Two Killed, Six Injured As Gunmen Attack Herders

Two persons were killed and six others injured on Sunday evening after gunmen attacked Fulani herders travelling in a pickup vehicle around Tota Filling Station, Yelwa Club Junction, Bukuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

LEADERSHIP reports that the latest attack occurred less than two weeks after gunmen allegedly attacked herders around Kassa community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state, killing five people and injuring one.

The state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, who confirmed the incident in Jos, said the gunmen attacked the vehicle at about 5:30 pm while the victims were returning from the cattle market to Bassa Local Government Area.

Babayo condemned the incident and called on security agencies to track down those responsible and bring them to justice, describing the attack as unprovoked and disturbing.

He said the injured victims had been taken to the hospital for treatment, adding that one person was still missing.

In a statement, MACBAN expressed concern that the incident was not isolated, recalling that five Fulani herders were killed on 20 September 2026, around Kassa in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, while returning from the same Kara Bukuru Livestock Market.

The association also recalled that Fulani herders were attacked near the Conoil Filling Station in December last year while returning from the same market.

The statement read in part: “This unfortunate incident is deeply disturbing and represents yet another attack against innocent herders who were peacefully returning from their lawful business activities.

“We are particularly concerned because this is not an isolated incident. On September 20, 2026, five Fulani herders lost their lives following an attack around Kassa in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area while returning from the same Kara Bukuru Livestock Market.

“Similarly, in December last year, Fulani herders were attacked near the Conoil Filling Station while returning from the same market. The recurrence of such attacks has created fear and insecurity among law-abiding pastoralists and traders who depend on the market for their livelihood.

“The continuous attacks on innocent herders are unacceptable. No Nigerian should be attacked or killed because of his or her ethnic background or occupation.”

MACBAN urged the Plateau State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Operation Safe Haven, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to strengthen security along the Kara Bukuru market route and take steps to prevent further attacks.

It also called on its members to remain calm and law-abiding, and to avoid any form of retaliation.

“We have confidence that the security agencies will carry out a professional investigation and ensure that justice is served.

“MACBAN remains committed to peaceful coexistence with all communities in Plateau State. We believe that lasting peace can only be achieved through justice, fairness and equal protection of every citizen regardless of ethnicity or occupation,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the spokespersons for Operation Enduring Peace and the Plateau State Police Command, Captain Polycarp Oteh and SP Alabo Alfred, respectively, did not respond to inquiries at the time of filing this report.