The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has accused gunmen it described as “Berom militias” of killing a herder and 18 cows in an attack in Nyarwai village, Fan District, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.
The state Chairman of MACBAN, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, who made the allegations in a statement on Wednesday, said that during the attack, which he claimed was unprovoked, the gunmen also injured two other herders and rustled several cattle belonging to the herdsmen.
Babayo, who gave the name of the victim as Yakubu Ishaku, said the incident occurred at about 1pm on Wednesday while the herders were tending to their cattle in the area.
Babayo said the organisation was deeply saddened by the attack, which he described as the latest in a series of violent attacks and counter-attacks that have continued to fuel tensions between communities in parts of the state.
While condemning the incident, Babayo said it was “one too many” and represented another painful loss of innocent life and means of livelihood, while further threatening the peace and harmony that citizens of the state desire.
“We call on security agencies to immediately investigate the attack, apprehend those responsible, and ensure they are brought to justice in accordance with the law. The cycle of violence must not continue without accountability,” the MACBAN chairman said.
“MACBAN further calls on the Plateau State Government to intensify efforts to protect the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens, irrespective of ethnic or religious background.
“We are committed to peaceful coexistence and call on the Fulani community to remain calm, avoid retaliation, and cooperate with security agencies during investigations,” he added.
Plateau MACBAN alleges killing of herder, 18 cows by ‘Berom militias’