Troops Recover Bodies of Two Missing Persons After Communal Clash between Fulani and Berom youths

By: Zagazola Makama 

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace,  in collaboration with personnel of Operation Keystone, have recovered the bodies of two persons reported missing following a clash between residents of Nyango community and Fulani herders in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources disclosed that the search operation was conducted in the early hours of June 18 across the mountainous terrain covering Rangarasang, Gero, Nyango and Kangang communities after reports emerged that two residents of Nyango village had gone missing during the confrontation.

According to the sources, the operation was launched to locate the missing persons and prevent a further escalation of tensions in the affected communities.

During the search, troops discovered and recovered the bodies of the two victims identified as Joshua Pam and Emmanuel Joseph.

The victims were found with gunshot wounds in a remote area within the search zone.

Security personnel also recovered three empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition at the scene, suggesting the possible use of firearms during the incident.

“The operation was initiated following reports of a clash between members of the Berom community from Nyango village and Fulani herders from Gero village. The two missing persons were subsequently found dead with gunshot wounds,” a security source said.

Following the recovery, the corpses were handed over to their families for burial in accordance with local customs and religious rites.

Military authorities said troops had intensified patrols and were maintaining a strong presence across the affected communities to prevent reprisals and preserve public order.

The security source added that troops were dominating the general area through confidence-building patrols and surveillance operations aimed at reassuring residents and deterring any retaliatory attacks.

The latest incident illustrates the persistent security challenges associated with farmer-herder disputes and communal tensions in parts of Plateau State, where security agencies have continued efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among communities.

Security forces urged residents to remain calm, avoid acts of retaliation and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could assist ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and property while ensuring that those responsible for criminal acts are identified and brought to justice.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.