- Over 100 cows also killed, matcheted by unknown gunmen
In the first known violence in Plateau State, Northcentral Nigeria, in the last four months, seven Fulani herdsmen have been killed in two separate attacks in Maiyanga village of Kwall District in Bassa Local Government Area of the State.
State Chairman of Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Malam Nura Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident in Plateau State capital, Jos on Thursday, said in the recent attack, which occurred on Tuesday, five people were killed while one person is missing. In addition, over 100 cows were killed just as others were macheted by the assailants.
Abdullahi said all the attacks occurred in the same Maiyanga village and both the Police and personnel of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have been informed of the incidents.
According to the leaders of the umbrella group of herdsmen in Nigeria, “on Tuesday last week, two herders rearing their cows were suddenly attacked and killed in the area. We reported the case to OPSH and appealed to the leadership of MACBAN to exercise restrain while the investigation was going on to arrest the perpetrators of the act.
“To our surprise, on Tuesday this week, five herders were attacked and killed in the same area. They were going about their normal rearing when assailants attacked and killed them. There is no farm activity at the moment in the area because the area is rocky. There is no justification for this attack as the area has been peaceful in recent time.”
According to the chairman, the bodies of the victims had been recovered with the support of both the OPSH and Police and have been handed over to them for burial.
The OPSH’s Spokesperson, Major Shittu Ibrahim, confirmed the incident, saying investigation was ongoing.
First published in Daily Trust
