18-year-old herder killed, 18 cattle shot dead in fresh Plateau attack

Gunmen have killed an 18-year-old herder, Yakubu Ishaku, and shot dead about 18 cattle in Nyarwai village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau state.

The attack, members of the herding community said, occurred at about 1 p.m. on Wednesday while the herders were tending their cattle in the area.

The state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incident in Jos.

Babayo condemned the attack, describing it as “one too many”, and added that it represented another painful loss of an innocent life and a means of livelihood.

He said such attacks could further threaten the fragile peace and harmony desired by residents of the state.

MACBAN called on security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, apprehend those responsible and ensure that they were brought to justice in accordance with the law.

The association stated that the cycle of violence must not continue without accountability.

It also urged the Plateau state government to intensify efforts to protect the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens, irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.

The association reiterated its commitment to peaceful coexistence and urged members of the Fulani community to remain calm, avoid retaliation and cooperate with security agencies in their investigation.

Babayo appealed to members of the community to remain law-abiding and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, saying the incident had been reported to the security agencies.

MACBAN expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and sympathised with the owner of the cattle over the loss, praying that Almighty Allah grants the deceased eternal rest.