At least, 37 cattle were reportedly shot dead at Tashek community of Riyom local government area of Plateau state.
The chairman, Plateau state chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo said the incident occurred around 1: pm when a herder was grazing the cattle around the area.
According to him, the herders were attacked while grazing their cattle.
But the national president of Berom Youths, Barr. Dalyop
Nwantiri, said the gunmen hid in the midst of their cattle to attack
innocent citizens.
“What they usually do is to hide among the cattle with sophisticated
weapons to attack villages and communities.
Sometimes if the
villagers want to defend themselves they run into the cattle to use them
as shields,” he said.
He added; “It is possible that they were the ones that shot themselves and their cattle in the process so that they can justify the terror attacks on innocent citizen
The latest attack on grazing cattle occurred barely a week after a similar incident in Tanjol and Shen communities of Riyom and Jos South LGA.
The chairman described the attack as unprovoked, adding that it was a deliberate move by the perpetrators to achieve a hidden goal.
Babayo said “Gunmen stormed the area and started shooting at grazing cattle leading to the death of 37 cattle and injuring the herder. Immediately after the attack, I called on the sector commander of Operation Safe Haven in Riyom to inform him about the incident who subsequently deployed troops to the scene to assess the situation .”
The chairman also said he had informed heads of security agencies in the state, including commander OPSH and GOC 3 division, commissioner of police and State Director Security (SDS), about the incident, adding that “they all acknowledged the report and asked us not to take law into our hands as efforts are being done to arrest the perpetrators. “
Babayo claimed that attacks on herders and their cattle have been a daily routine, saying that despite the attacks,” we called on members to remain calm. Nobody should take law into their hands. On the latest incident, we are still patient and trusting security to do the needful to bring an end to the crime. Considering the series of attacks, in recent time, we believe it is a calculated attempt to undermine our economy and leave us vulnerable.”
Meanwhile, spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, a security task force maintaining peace in the state, Major Samson Zhakom, did not respond to message by our correspondent on the incident at press time.
