On Sunday, at least 37 cattle were shot dead in the Tashek community of the Riyom local government area in Plateau State.
Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, the chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), reported that the incident happened around 1 pm.
This latest attack follows a similar incident just a week prior in the Tanjol community, also in Riyom LGA, where gunmen injured two herders and killed five cattle.
The chairman described the attack as unprovoked and believed it was a deliberate act with a hidden agenda.
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Babayo stated, “Gunmen stormed the area and started shooting at grazing cattle, leading to the death of 37 cattle and injury of the herder. Immediately after the attack, I called on the sector commander of Operation Safe Haven in Riyom to inform him about the incident, and he subsequently deployed troops to the scene to assess the situation.”
He also mentioned informing heads of security agencies in the state, including the commander of Operation Safe Haven, the GOC of the 3rd Division, the commissioner of police, and the State Director of Security (SDS), about the incident.
According to Babayo, “they all acknowledged the report and asked to not take law into our hands as efforts are being done to arrest the perpetrators.”
Babayo claimed that attacks on herders and their cattle have become a daily occurrence, but despite this, they have urged their members to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands.
Regarding the latest incident, he stated they are remaining patient and trusting that the security agencies will take the necessary action to end the crime.
He added, “Considering the series of attacks in recent time, we believe it is a calculated attempt to undermine our economy and leave us vulnerable.”
When contacted, the youth leader in Riyom LGA, Song Bitrus, said, “I am not aware of the incident. I am just hearing it from you. I am not aware.”
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