Troops Avert Reprisal Attack After Berom Militia Kill Two Cows, Injure Eight Others in Plateau’s Riyom
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have averted a possible reprisal attack after Berom Militia shot dead two cattle and injured eight others along the Rim–Jol axis in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on Aug. 2, prompting troops of Sector 6 OPEP deployed at Rim to swiftly respond to a distress call.
The sources said the troops, working in collaboration with personnel of Operation Keystone, arrived at the scene between Rim and Jol communities and found two cows dead from gunshot wounds, while eight other cattle had sustained gunshot injuries.
Security sources said the attack heightened tensions in the area as some Fulani youths reportedly mobilised with the intention of carrying out a reprisal attack.
However, the timely intervention of the troops, supported by Fulani community leaders, succeeded in calming the aggrieved youths and preventing an escalation of violence.
As part of efforts to restore peace, security personnel convened a meeting involving Fulani and Berom community leaders, urging both sides to pursue an amicable resolution of the incident and refrain from acts capable of triggering further hostilities.
Security sources said troops have maintained a strong presence in the area through intensified patrols and confidence-building engagements to prevent retaliatory attacks and sustain peace in the affected communities.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks involving livestock and farming communities in Plateau State, where security forces have continued to combine military operations with community engagement to contain the recurring farmer-herder crisis.
