Gunmen Attack Herders, Kill Cattle in Plateau Community
The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) said gunmen attacked herders on Saturday afternoon, killing five cattle and leaving three missing in Izovo community, Miango district of Bassa Local Government Area. State MACBAN chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos on Sunday, noting that […]
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The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) said gunmen attacked herders on Saturday afternoon, killing five cattle and leaving three missing in Izovo community, Miango district of Bassa Local Government Area.
State MACBAN chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos on Sunday, noting that it had been reported to security agencies.
He said the attackers struck while the herders were grazing their cattle, opening fire and forcing the herders to flee before killing the animals with machetes and gunshots.
Babayo described the incident as a threat to the livelihood of pastoralists and a risk to ongoing peace efforts in the state.
“This act is not only a direct attack on the livelihood of innocent pastoralists but also a dangerous development capable of heightening tensions and undermining the fragile peace in the state.
“Cattle rearing remains a legitimate means of livelihood for thousands of families, and any form of violence against it must be treated as a serious offence,” he said.
He called on security agencies to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice, warning that failure to act could worsen tensions.
The association also urged herders to remain calm and allow security agencies to handle the matter, while calling on community leaders and other stakeholders in Bassa LGA to promote peaceful conflict resolution.
Spokesperson of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycarp Oteh, had yet to respond to a WhatsApp message sent by our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.