Two Persons, Several Livestock Shot Amid Targeted Killings of Fulani Herders by Berom Militia in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Two persons, including a herder and a resident, have been killed while several cattle were shot in Sabon Gida community of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, in a series of attacks targeting herders and their livestock by suspected Berom militia.
Zagazola reports that the incident, which occurred on June 6, came less than 24 hours after separate attacks on cattle and reports of cattle rustling in parts of Plateau State, illustrating the persistent threat posed by armed groups operating in the area.
Military sources said troops of Sector 6 under Operation Peace (OPEP) responded to reports of an attack on cattle in Sabon Gida and launched a search-and-rescue operation.
According to the sources, troops discovered the bodies of a herder and a local resident with gunshot wounds. The security team also found five dead cattle and four others with gunshot injuries.
The bodies were recovered by police personnel from Bukuru Division, while the injured cattle were handed over to officials of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Jos South Local Government Area.
The latest killings followed an earlier incident reported on June 5 in Jos South LGA, where armed attackers allegedly shot and killed two cows and injured a calf before fleeing the scene.
Security sources said troops deployed to the area found the dead animals and commenced efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Also within the same period, troops of Sector 3 reportedly recovered 28 cattle allegedly rustled from a herder identified as Idris Adamu around Gero community in Jos South LGA.
According to security sources, the cattle were recovered after troops launched a search operation in nearby mountainous areas, forcing the suspects to abandon the animals and flee. The recovered livestock were subsequently returned to their owner.
In another related incident, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to reports of an attack on cattle around Nyerwie Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where one cow was reportedly shot dead by armed assailants who escaped before security forces arrived.
The latest attacks illustrate the persistent nature of communal and livestock-related violence that continues to threaten peace and livelihoods in parts of the state.
The incidents have further exposed the fragile security situation in several rural areas of Plateau State, where attacks on residents and livestock continue to fuel tensions.
Just recently, local militia attacked a herder, killed three cows and injured one in the Kikyua II area of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. What followed less than 24 hours after the attack was another incident that left eight people dead, including women, while several others were injured in the same local government area.
Zagazola has been documenting the back-to-back attacks, and reprisals attacks, drawing attention to what appears to be a consistent sequence of violent incidents affecting communities across plateau state.
Despite security responses aimed at containing the crisis, both Fulani bandits and Berom militia have continued to carry out senseless killings. Their victims are mostly innocent people who have no connection to the crimes or disputes driving the violence.
Zagazola reports that while reprisal attacks on the Plateau often attract widespread public attention and condemnation, smaller attacks, targeted killing of harder or his cattle as well as other rustling incidents frequently receive limited or no media coverage despite their potential to trigger retaliations.
