Suspected gunmen have killed a 13-year-old herder, Abubakar Wada, and 36 cattle in an attack on Tuesday evening around the Inzon community, Fan district, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to reports, 49 other cows are still missing after the assault.
The tragic incident threw the community into chaos as armed men opened fire on herders returning from grazing. Two of the herders managed to escape the attack.
Confirming the incident, the Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, described it as “barbaric and unfortunate.”
He said, “The attack was carried out by Berom people from Fan district. So far, we have counted 36 cattle killed and 49 missing. The herders were just passing peacefully without provocation.”
Babayo urged all herders across the state to remain calm and allow security agencies to handle the matter. He warned against retaliation, emphasizing the need for peace.
The MACBAN secretary in Barkin Ladi also confirmed that security operatives had been informed. “The Chief of Staff, Operation Enduring Peace, the DPO in Barkin Ladi, and the Sector Commander have all visited the scene,” he said.
However, the National President of the Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, denied MACBAN’s claims, describing them as attempts to justify future attacks on Berom communities.
Dalyop said, “Our people in Nding and Fan districts are peace-loving. The allegation is a ploy to excuse aggression against us. We’re aware of two attacks carried out by suspected Fulani armed groups on October 6, which led to the death of one Mr. Timothy Ishaku Chollom.”
He also accused some herders of forcefully grazing on farmlands and invading residential areas, which he said threatens food security and peace in the district.
Meanwhile, the Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations, 3 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, confirmed that military officers in the area had been contacted for verification of the incident.