BYM, MACBAN trade words over alleged killings in Plateau

The Berom Youth-Moulders Association, BYM, and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, are currently at loggerheads following allegations and counter-allegations over violent attacks and killings across Plateau State.

The BYM first raised the concern in a statement on Tuesday over what it described as a misleading narrative by the state chapter of MACBAN where the Fulani group alleged that a gang of “Berom Militias” had attacked herders and their cows in Jos South Local Government Area on Friday, June 5, 2026, where a 15-year-old herder was reportedly killed.

In the statement issued by the MACBAN Chairman in the state, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, accused Berom youths of attacking the herders and killing the teenager identified as Sadi Aliyu, as well as 11 cows at Sabon Gidan Kanar community of the council.

Babayo said the herders were tending to their cattle peacefully when the gunmen suddenly stormed the area and opened fire on them.

“The attack was unprovoked as the victim alongside his colleagues was rearing their cattle when the gunmen attacked them. They shot one herder and 13 cattle dead. About 11 cattle are still missing,“ the MACBAN Chairman had said.

He added that the continuous targeting of innocent herders and their livestock was unacceptable and poses a serious threat to peaceful coexistence and security in Plateau State.

But while reacting to the allegations by MACBAN, the BYM in its own statement on Tuesday, said the claims that those who carried out attacks were “Berom Militias” were not only baseless but misleading and unfounded.

The statement which was issued by the National Publicity Secretary of BYM, Rwang Tengwong, stated that on the contrary, Fulani bandits have been on the rampage, invading and sacking rural communities and killing innocent residents.

“Contrary to MACBAN claims, available information from the affected community indicates that armed Fulani terrorists took advantage of the early morning rainfall last Friday to launch an attack on unsuspecting residents of Ful who had already gone out in search of their livelihood before the rain commenced,” Tengwong said.

Citing a particular incident where a member of the affected community was ambushed and killed in a targeted attack, Tengwong said:

“The attack resulted in the killing of a community member, Mr. Jan while another resident, Mr. Silvanus Toma, sustained gunshot wounds on the head and is currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, in critical condition.

“BYM strongly condemns every loss of innocent life regardless of ethnicity, religion or occupation. However, we reject attempts to distort facts, criminalise entire communities and ignore the suffering of indigenous residents who continue to bear the brunt of violent attacks.

“We call on security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and professional investigation into the incident and ensure that all perpetrators, irrespective of their background, are brought to justice,” the BYM said. 

BYM, MACBAN trade words over alleged killings in Plateau