A herder has been killed and more than 100 cattle slaughtered in a series of coordinated attacks across Jos South and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The attacks, which occurred between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, have intensified tensions in a region already troubled by longstanding farmer-herder clashes.
The Plateau State Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incidents and accused members of the Berom ethnic group of being behind the violence. However, the Berom Youth Movement has denied the claims, calling them unfounded and dismissing them as propaganda.
According to Babayo, the first attack occurred on Tuesday, May 13, in the Gero community of Jos South, where armed assailants reportedly stormed grazing areas, shot at herders, and killed approximately 70 cattle. Three herders were injured and are currently receiving treatment at different medical facilities in Jos, including the Military Hospital in Rukuba Barracks.
“They butchered some of the cattle and took away the meat. Troops from Operation Safe Haven intervened and arrested three suspects found with the meat,” Babayo said.
A second incident was reported on Wednesday, May 14, in Darwat community, Riyom LGA, where over 40 cows were allegedly shot and butchered.
“There was no provocation. It was a coordinated and unprovoked attack. We no longer feel safe,” Babayo added.
He also linked the recent violence to other attacks in the area, noting that on Monday, May 12, a herder went missing and 41 cattle were rustled in Bisichi community.
“These attacks are happening almost daily, and they appear to be intended to provoke us. We are calling on the government and the international community to intervene,” he said.
MACBAN has urged its members to remain calm and avoid any form of retaliation, while calling on security agencies to apprehend those responsible.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incidents.
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