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37 Cattle Killed In Rampant Attacks on Pastoralists in Plateau

37 Cattle Killed In Rampant Attacks on Pastoralists in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
In the heart of Plateau State, the shadow of insecurity looms ever larger over its rural communities, where the livelihood of pastoralists hangs in the balance. The recent savage attack on livestock in Tashek Community, Riyom Local Government Area, which left 37 cattle dead, serves as yet another grim reminder of the violence that continuously plagues these pastoral communities.
The devastating incident occurred around 1 p.m. on a seemingly ordinary Sunday, yet it has exacerbated fears among local herders, pointing to the escalating threat they face not just from the elements of nature, but from what security agencies described as unidentified assailants who strike at will. The Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ibrahim Babayo, characterized the attack as “unprovoked” and a deliberate attempt to destabilize their livelihoods.
“These killings are not random; they are part of a broader scheme designed to undermine our economy and leave us vulnerable,” Babayo asserted, as he urgently appealed for more decisive action from security agencies. His calls joined a growing chorus that challenges the effectiveness of the government and response agencies tasked with ensuring the safety of citizens in the region.
As local herders grapple with these recurrent assaults on their cattle, the responses from security agencies have been disheartening. Although security agencies were dispatched to assess the situation promptly after the incident, such reactions have become routine and often insufficient in addressing the underlying issues of insecurity in Plateau State. The attackers, frequently cited as “unknown gunmen,” remain anonymous in official narratives, despite the strong belief among local residents that these individuals are not strangers to their communities.
The implications of these killings extend beyond the immediate economic consequences for pastoralists. Each attack fosters an atmosphere of fear and mistrust, compelling community members to reconsider their daily routines and livelihoods. Pastoralists, who have long contributed to the agricultural value chain, find themselves forced into a corner, struggling to maintain their way of life amidst growing hostility.
Contrastingly, voices from other community factions echo a narrative that further complicates the situation. Barr. Dalyop Nwantiri, National President of the Berom Youth Movement, suggests that herders use their livestock as shields during conflicts, alleging that armed herders sometimes blend into the cattle to launch surprise attacks on communities. “It’s a vicious cycle that perpetuates engagement and heightens tensions,” he stated, a sentiment that underscores the urgent necessity for reconciliation and dialog among all stakeholders.
This cycle of violence raises pressing questions about the adequacy of governmental response. Amidst ongoing assaults, residents and advocates are calling for comprehensive strategies that extend beyond mere condemnations, investigation or reassurances of security by government of pleateau. They demand proactive measures to identify and apprehend the perpetrators who remain entrenched within the communities they terrorize.
“They are known in the communities,” Babayo stated emphatically. “Yet, despite this knowledge, we see little to no action to bring them to justice.” The irony of labeling the attackers as unknown when they are often familiar faces only heightens frustrations among local pastoralists, who feel that their pleas for protection go unheard.
As pastoralists in Plateau State endure the throes of violence that threatens their existence, a unified and determined effort from government and security agencies is more crucial than ever. The silence surrounding these recurring attacks must be broken; it is time for action, accountability, and a reinvestment in the security frameworks that protect all citizens. It is not just the fate of herders at stake, but the overall stability and prosperity of the region as a whole. Because, you only get to hear a different story when reprisals are carried out. The time to act is NOW.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
37 Cattle Killed In Rampant Attacks on Pastoralists in Plateau
News
RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State

RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State
…Making it the 20th State to Benefit from the Support
By: Our Reporter
The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Program, launched in Abuja in March 2024 to provide monthly support to vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities, has reached Yobe State—making it the 20th state to benefit from the initiative.
Since its inception, the program has covered Abia, Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto States before arriving in Yobe.
With generous support from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and another industrialist who prefers to remain anonymous, assorted food items were delivered, bringing relief to many households, particularly those with disabilities.
The First Lady and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, noted that donors provide two truckloads of food items to each beneficiary state for onward distribution. Represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, she highlighted Yobe as a major beneficiary of RHI programs and interventions.
These include:

- The Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economists Empowerment Program, which supported 500 women with ₦50,000 each.
- The RHI Women Agricultural Support Scheme, where 20 women received ₦500,000 each.
- A ₦68.9 million grant from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to the Young Farmers Club.
- Annual financial support to senior citizens, with 100 beneficiaries receiving ₦100,000 each in 2023 and 250 beneficiaries receiving ₦200,000 each.
- A ₦50 million financial grant to 1,000 petty traders.
- The Women in ICT Program, aimed at empowering women in the digital economy.
According to Senator Tinubu, these interventions are designed to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni represented by his Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the initiative, noting that the state has aligned with RHI through various empowerment programs for women, children, and vulnerable groups. These include the distribution of household items, skill acquisition schemes, and post-insurgency recovery programs that have economically empowered many women.
The State Coordinator of RHI and Wife of the Yobe State Governor, Hajiya Hafsat Kollere Buni, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for extending such impactful support to Yobe State. She also looked forward to stronger collaborations to further project the ideals of RHI and improve the lives of the people.
Also present at the event was Dr. Ubong Udoh, Managing Director of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, one of the key donors to the program.- RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State


News
Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency
By: Zagazola Makama
Former National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), has warned that Nigeria’s fight against insurgency will remain elusive without national cohesion and a united front across society.
Monguno stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).
He said Boko Haram and other violent groups had thrived by exploiting Nigeria’s divisions, stressing that disunity among citizens, political actors, and institutions weakened the country’s capacity to defeat terrorism.
“Without national cohesion, insurgency will not end. Terrorists feed on our fault lines – ethnic, religious, political – and they weaponise them against us. If we remain divided, no amount of military might will deliver lasting peace,” Monguno said.
He urged Nigerians to rise above parochial sentiments and embrace a spirit of patriotism, solidarity, and common purpose. According to him, the fight against insurgency must go beyond the battlefield to include reconciliation, justice, and inclusive governance.
The retired General emphasised that the scars left by Boko Haram were not just physical but also psychological and social, making unity a vital condition for national healing.
“The book reminds us that security is not just the work of soldiers. It is the responsibility of leaders, institutions, and citizens. Unless we build cohesion, insurgency will continue to mutate in different forms,” he added.
Monguno commended Gen. Irabor for documenting his experience, describing the work as a guide that combines history, strategy, and national lessons for the future.
The event was attended by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, service chiefs, traditional rulers, diplomats, and senior government officials.
Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency
News
Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach

Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach
By: Zagazola Makama
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said Nigeria cannot defeat insurgency through military operations alone, stressing the need to embrace soft power and address root causes of insecurity.
Kukah made this known in Abuja on Thursday while reviewing Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).
He said the country’s reliance on military doctrines and repeated counter-insurgency operations had failed to produce lasting peace because Boko Haram represented an ideology, not just an armed threat.
“For years, we have had Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Restore Order, Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Safe Haven, and many others. Yet, when one operation fails, another is launched. These operations have not ended the insurgency because you cannot fight an idea with weapons alone,” Kukah said.
The cleric argued that describing the insurgency only in military terms forecloses other sources of information and non-kinetic solutions that are critical to peacebuilding.
According to him, Boko Haram’s struggle is framed as a jihad, and many of its fighters see death as martyrdom, making them indifferent to conventional deterrence.
“The challenge before us is not merely about defeating insurgents on the battlefield, but about understanding the soft issues of life and death. Guns cannot build peace; soft power must complement military power,” he said.
Kukah pointed to chapters 11, 12 and 13 of Irabor’s book, which emphasise reconciliation, good governance, justice, and national healing as critical conditions for security.
He praised the author’s reflections for going beyond military strategy, describing them as “the writings of a priest” that call for dialogue, reforms and moral renewal.
The bishop added that Nigeria must prioritise structural reforms, political inclusion, patriotism, and judicial integrity to tackle grievances that feed extremism.
“The urgency now is to invest in soft power – in human development, reconciliation, and building trust in institutions. Military operations can only create space; it is ideas and justice that will sustain peace,” Kukah said.
The event attracted former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, senior government officials, service chiefs, diplomats, and other dignitaries.
End
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