The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has reported that gunmen opened fire on herders on Sunday evening along Gero Road in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing 13 cows and injuring 12 others.
The Plateau State Chairman of MACBAN, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, who confirmed the incident to journalists, said the attack occurred while the herders were grazing in the area.
Babayo condemned the attack and said the association promptly reported the incident to personnel of Operation Enduring Peace, Sector 6, who later visited the scene.
One of the herders who escaped the attack, Jabir Abdullahi, recounted the incident, saying, “We were grazing when the gunmen arrived on motorcycles. As soon as they stopped, the person sitting at the back of the motorcycle started shooting, forcing us to flee. They shot dead 13 cattle on the spot, while many others sustained injuries. This attack is unprovoked because we did not offend anyone. We were only grazing peacefully. We later reported the incident to security agencies, who also visited the scene.”
The MACBAN chairman further appealed to members of the association to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, noting that the attackers were attempting to provoke them.
The Treasurer of the Ngel Development Association, Iliya Solomon, in whose community the incident reportedly occurred, said residents were unaware of those behind the attack and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation.
Solomon said, “Yesterday, a herder reported to me that their cattle were shot in the area because I work closely with security agencies whenever issues arise. I immediately contacted soldiers around and we moved to Gero Road, where the incident occurred. The scene is also commonly referred to as Gero. When we arrived, I saw four cattle already dead while four others were injured and unable to move. We do not know the perpetrators.”
He added that the location where the incident occurred is known as a hotspot for criminal activities.
When contacted for comment, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, confirmed receiving a WhatsApp message on the incident but said he could not provide further details at the time.
