Gunmen on Wednesday evening attacked herders and rustled no fewer than 170 cows in two separate incidents in Barkin Ladi and Jos East local government areas of Plateau State.
Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, state Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, told journalists on Thursday that the first incident happened around Nding community in Fan District of Barkin Ladi LGA, where 137 cows were taken, while the second occurred in Kukukah community of Jos East LGA, resulting in the loss of 34 cows.
Babayo said the cattle belonged to three herders, namely Alhaji Wada Sale, Abdullahi Yusuf and Alhaji Talba Abubakar.
“Soon after the incidents, I contacted heads of security agencies, including the DSS, Operation Enduring Peace and the Police, in the state, to inform them of the development. I also reported the incident to the Sector 4 commander in Barkin Ladi,” he said.
Providing further details, Babayo explained that the attackers opened fire on herders who were grazing their cattle before making away with the animals, prompting the herders to flee.
“On December 10, the gunmen stormed the grazing areas and started shooting. They succeeded in rustling the cattle while the herders escaped,” he said.
The MACBAN chairman urged affected members to remain calm and allow security agencies to carry out their work, while calling on security forces to track down those responsible.
The leadership of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) has rejected reports of cattle rustling in the Nding area, insisting that no such incident took place on Wednesday as claimed by the herders.
Barrister Solomon Dalyop, National President of BYM, told Daily Trust that their findings showed no evidence of rustling in the community.
He described the claim as a fallacy and a calculated attempt to carry out terror attacks on our people.
“We are shocked to hear that cattle were rustled in the area. From our findings, there is no such incident. And if there was, they should allow security agencies to investigate and ascertain whether it is true or not.”
When contacted, the acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 3rd Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the matter would be forwarded to the sector commander and the intelligence department for further action.
