Berom Militia Ambush Travelers in Barkin Ladi After Identifying Them as Fulani Amid Escalating Tit-for-Tat Violence in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Three Fulani travelers sustained gunshot injuries after they were allegedly ambushed by suspected Berom militia members near Kassa in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, in the latest incident of attacks and reprisals across parts of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on the evening of June 7 as the victims were returning from Kara Bukuru Market when they were reportedly intercepted and attacked by armed assailants.
The injured victims were identified as Ibrahim Idris, Samaila Usman and Yahuza Abdulmumi Alhaji Yako, all natives of Mangu Local Government Area.
According to the sources, the attackers allegedly identified the travelers as Fulani before opening fire on them, leaving them with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The victims were subsequently evacuated for medical treatment and are currently receiving care.
The latest attack comes amid a series of incidents involving killings, attacks on livestock, cattle rustling and reprisal violence recorded across Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South, Bassa and Mangu Local Government Areas within the past two weeks.
Less than 24 hours before the Kassa attack, two persons, including a herder and a resident, were targeted and killed by Berom Militia in Sabon Gida community of Jos South Local Government Area.
Military sources said troops of Sector 6 under Operation Enduring Peace responded to reports of an attack on cattle in the community on June 6 and discovered the bodies of the victims with gunshot wounds.
Security personnel also recovered five dead cattle and four others suffering from gunshot injuries.
The bodies were evacuated by police personnel from Bukuru Division, while the injured cattle were handed over to relevant livestock officials.
The June 6 killings occurred shortly after another attack recorded in Kikyua II area of Mangu Local Government Area.
Security sources said one resident, identified as Muhammad Saidu, sustained gunshot wounds when suspected militia elements attacked cattle grazing in the area.
Troops responding to the distress call discovered that three cows had been killed while three others sustained gunshot injuries.
The victim was evacuated to a medical facility, while troops commenced efforts to track the attackers.
On June 5, troops of Sector 6 responded to another attack in Sabon Gida community where two cows were killed and a calf injured by armed assailants who fled before security personnel arrived.
The same day, troops of Sector 3 under Operation Enduring Peace recovered 28 cattle allegedly rustled from a herder identified as Idris Adamu around Gero community in Jos South Local Government Area.
Military sources said the animals were recovered after troops launched a search operation in surrounding mountainous areas, forcing the suspects to abandon the cattle and flee.
The livestock were subsequently returned to their owner.
Also on June 5, troops of Operation Safe Haven responded to reports of an attack around Nyerwie village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where one cow was found shot dead after armed assailants fled before security personnel reached the scene.
Security officials said efforts were immediately launched to identify and apprehend those responsible.
On June 1, another attack was reported in Torok village of Riyom Local Government Area, where one cow was killed by armed attackers.
Troops deployed to the area subsequently dominated the community with fighting patrols to prevent possible retaliatory attacks and maintain public order.
A day earlier, on May 31, troops of Sector 6 responded to reports of farmland destruction in Tongorong community, Riyom Local Government Area.
Upon arrival, troops recovered a cow allegedly involved in the incident and moved it to a secure location pending peaceful resolution between the affected parties.
On May 31, 2026, The fulani responded almost the same say killing 8 people with over 15 injured in the attack in Gwon-Ajang village of Foron District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday.
On May 29, troops again responded to an attack on cattle in Torok community, where one cow was killed and four others sustained gunshot injuries after suspected youths attacked a herd before fleeing.
Community leaders were later engaged by security agencies as part of efforts to prevent reprisals and further escalation.
Within the same period, troops of Operation Safe Haven intercepted 38 cattle grazing in a restricted area around Twin Hill in Miango, Bassa Local Government Area, while two herders, identified as Harasu Wada and Abba Haruna, were arrested for allegedly grazing livestock in another restricted zone around Miango.
Security officials said the actions formed part of ongoing enforcement measures aimed at reducing friction between farming and pastoral communities.
In another incident, troops launched a manhunt after suspected rustlers reportedly made away with 13 cows and five sheep belonging to a resident, Iliya Dongo, in Tahoss community of Riyom Local Government Area.
Although search operations were immediately launched, security sources said investigations and recovery efforts remain ongoing.
The succession of incidents has pointed to the persistent tensions affecting several communities in Plateau State, where attacks on residents, herders, livestock and farmlands continue to generate mutual accusations and exacerbate existing tensions among affected communities.
Zagazola note that while major attacks often attract widespread attention, smaller incidents involving cattle killings, rustling, attacks on herders or destruction of farmlands frequently serve as triggers for broader retaliatory violence.
For example, the recent violence in Mangu Local Government Area, where attacks on livestock were followed by deadly reprisals that reportedly left several persons dead and others injured, has further reinforced concerns about the potential consequences of unresolved grievances and recurring attacks.
Despite ongoing military operations, patrols and peacebuilding efforts by security agencies, authorities continue to face challenges in preventing isolated attacks from escalating into wider confrontations.
