No fewer than three herders have been killed and two others were declared missing after suspected armed militia attacked a group of herders in Alohom community, Sabon Gari district of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State.
The attack reportedly occurred on Saturday while the victims were tending to their cattle.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, reported that troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace, recovered the bodies following reports of the attack.
Twelve other cattle were reportedly found with gunshot wounds, while the publication said 36 cattle were killed in the attack.
However, members of the herding community put the number of cattle killed at 50.
The Coordinator of the Fulbe Fulani Development Association in Mangu LGA, Hashimu Yahaya, described the attack as brutal and unprovoked.
He identified the deceased as Garzali Shaibu, 18, Bashiru Yakubu, 14, and Salim Abubakar, 15.
The Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, also confirmed the attack, saying gunmen stormed the grazing area and opened fire on the herders.
“The herders were just tending to their cattle when suddenly the perpetrators attacked, shooting sporadically. On Thursday, they killed a herder and 18 cattle around Nyerwe. Today, three herders and 50 cattle were killed,” Babayo said.
He alleged that the latest attack was part of a broader attempt to target Fulani herders and destroy their means of livelihood in the state.
“This is an unprovoked attack because the herders were going about their peaceful activities. It is obvious that it is a calculated attempt to cleanse Fulani herders and destroy their means of livelihood in Plateau,” he said.
Babayo said the association had informed relevant security agencies, including the Department of State Services and Operation Enduring Peace, and urged herders not to retaliate.
“I call on all herding communities to remain calm as security forces have been informed about the situation. Nobody should take the law into their hands,” he said.
He also called for an investigation and prosecution of those responsible, describing the incident as “one too many.”
Zagazola Makama reported that eyewitnesses alleged that some security personnel were in the area during the attack but failed to intervene. Empty tear gas canisters were also reportedly recovered from the scene.
Troops of Operation Hard Knock have since intensified patrols in the area to prevent further violence.
The latest incident came a day after another herder, identified as Yakubu Ishaku, was reportedly killed alongside 18 cattle around Nyerwe community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, security forces have also facilitated a resolution to a separate farmer-herder dispute in Bokkos LGA after farms were reportedly destroyed in Dambwash, Danbukor and Fokko.
According to Zagazola Makama, the affected farms were destroyed on August 16, while both parties reached a compensation agreement on August 19.
The publication said herders subsequently paid N4.5 million to 38 affected farmers on Saturday as part of the agreement.
The spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven, Captain Polycarp Oteh, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.