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Six cows poisoned as attacks on pastoral livelihoods escalate in Plateau
Six cows poisoned as attacks on pastoral livelihoods escalate in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
A series of coordinated attacks targeting cattle and Fulani settlements across Plateau State has intensified fears of a widening reprisal cycle, with the latest incident involving the poisoning of six cows in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA).
On Feb. 11 at about 8:30 a.m., six cows belonging to Alhaji Bello Haruna and Iliya Yusuf, both of Rwam Village in Mushere District, Bokkos LGA, were reportedly poisoned at Tulus and Rwam villages. Two of the cows died instantly, while four others were slaughtered after showing signs consistent with poisoning.
In the same development, Militia suspected to be from the Birom ethnic group attacked a Fulani settlement in Tulus Village, Horop, setting ablaze two houses belonging to Kadiri Adamu and Hashimu Adamu. Community sources said the coordinated targeting of livestock and residences indicated deliberate mischief designed to provoke tension and displacement.
The Bokkos incident followed an earlier case in Riyom LGA. The Fulani community in Riyom reported that a cow belonging to Anas Likita, a resident of Luggere in Jol Ward, was attacked and seriously injured by individuals suspected to be youths from Jol community.
Abdullahi Yusuf, the Leader of the Fulani community in Riyom, while calling for calm, condemned the act and commended the swift response of Operation Rainbow personnel stationed in Jol, who assisted in evacuating the injured cow to its owner. They also praised Operation Enduring Peace, Sector 6, for timely intervention and professional handling of the situation, urging residents to remain calm and allow security agencies to investigate.
“Such incidents only increase tension and undermine ongoing efforts toward peace and stability in Riyom LGA,” the community said in a statement signed by Abdullahi Yusuf on Feb. 9.
Zagazola report that the latest incidents align with a disturbing pattern of systematic attacks on pastoral assets across Plateau State.
On Feb. 2, one cow was shot dead at Weren Camp, Riyom LGA, while three others were poisoned in Kwi Village. Reports said toxic substances were concealed inside oranges and deliberately placed along grazing fields. The attack occurred in the afternoon, and the assailants escaped immediately after the shooting.
Also on Feb. 2 in Kwi Village, three cows were poisoned using what veterinary sources described as a sophisticated method: toxic substances hidden inside oranges placed along known grazing paths. The cattle ingested the poisoned fruits and collapsed. The method was assessed as deliberate, malicious and targeted.
The sophistication of hiding poison in oranges suggests premeditation and an intent to kill livestock without direct confrontation,” a local veterinary officer said. The attackers fled immediately after the shooting at Weren Camp, leaving the community in fear and uncertainty.
The pattern of attacks intensified in December 2025. On Dec. 12, armed elements attacked Nding Community in Fan District, Barkin Ladi LGA, and rustled approximately 137 cattle belonging to three herders. The attackers were heavily armed, operated in groups and drove the cattle into forested terrain.
Barely 24 hours later, on Dec. 13, at Kukukah Community in Jos East LGA, 34 cows were rustled by armed assailants. That same day, in Kwi Village, Riyom LGA, nine cows reportedly died after ingesting poisoned substances, following earlier rustling incidents. Community leaders said the sequence of events suggested emerging reprisal dynamics.
On Dec. 16, armed Fulani bandits attacked an illegal mining site at Tosho Community, Fan District, Barkin Ladi LGA, allegedly to recover previously rustled cattle. The attack resulted in 12 fatalities, three abductions and several injuries, and triggered further retaliatory violence across the zone.
Between Dec. 18 and 19, retaliatory attacks were reported in Dorong Village, Foron District, Barkin Ladi LGA, where four children were killed, and in Gero Village, Jos South LGA, where additional livestock were killed in reprisal actions.
On Dec. 27, five Fulani youths returning from Kara Cattle Market were ambushed along Bukuru Express Road near Angle D in Jos South LGA. The victims sustained critical gunshot wounds and were evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for emergency treatment.
The attacks are increasingly targeted, symbolic and livelihood-destructive. The objective appears to be forced displacement of pastoralists in Plateau state and demographic pressure in affected LGAs.
Zagazola report that the cumulative intelligence points to a structured escalation cycle, livestock poisoning leads to cattle rustling, which in turn triggers retaliatory raids and civilian casualties.
While armed militias and bandit elements are exploiting grievances. Weak deterrence is allowing non-state actors especially those inaugurated by the Plateau state government to function as de facto security forces in some rural areas, thereby committing heinous atrocities under the guise of protecting communities.
Zagazola warned that failure to decisively interrupt the cycle risks normalising reprisal attacks, expanding militia influence and eroding state authority.
Six cows poisoned as attacks on pastoral livelihoods escalate in Plateau
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation WUTAN DAJI have cleared several bandits’ camps, rescued kidnapped victims and recovered arms during clearance operations in Bauchi State.
Security sources said troops of 33 Artillery Brigade Garrison, in conjunction with elements of the Brigade Headquarters and a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), carried out the operation in Kumbodoro forest and Kumbodoro village.
According to the sources, the operation was led by the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. S.S. Shehu, as part of ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal elements.
They added that several bandits’ camps, including Azuge camps, were cleared during the operation, while a number of the criminals were neutralised.
Items recovered include four skeletal rifles, four dane guns, two pairs of boots, three helmets, a power bank, a Startimes decoder, one FN rifle magazine, one AK-47 magazine, communication links, a jackknife, six mobile phones, arrows, radio chargers, ATM cards, photographs, identity cards, as well as several pairs of security agency uniforms and leg chains.
The sources further disclosed that eight kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation.
They said troops are currently holding position within the Kumbodoro forest to consolidate gains from the clearance mission.
In a related development, the sources said troops deployed at Duguri, in collaboration with local vigilantes, recovered 36 cows at Mushen Kura village following information that the animals were roaming the area.
“The cows are suspected to have fled from bandits’ camps due to the ongoing operations and are currently in custody for further action,” the sources said.
They noted that troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high, while operations continue to deny bandits freedom of action in the region.
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint security operatives under the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, have raided a suspected herders’ camp in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering arms and ammunition.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 1:30 p.m. on April 12 along the IPO community axis by troops of 6 Division Garrison in collaboration with personnel of the Air Force, Navy, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Civil Defence Corps.
According to the sources, the raid targeted identified herders’ and cattle rearers’ camps in the area.
They added that items recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, 274 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four mobile phones.
The sources noted that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal possession of firearms and enhance security across the Niger Delta region.
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced the establishment of a quarry centre in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, to accelerate infrastructure development in the state.
Zulum made this announcement on Monday while flagging off the distribution of 70 brand-new Howo pickup trucks to the Ministry of Works and the State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) at the Government House.
The 70 Howo trucks are designed to boost the operational capacity of the Ministry of Works and its supervising agencies. The trucks will enable the swift delivery of materials to sites and faster intervention on distressed roads.
According to the governor, the quarry centre will provide locally sourced materials including granite, gravel and sharp sand to support ongoing and future road projects, reducing dependence on external suppliers and cutting costs.
“We have achieved a lot in health, education, agriculture, security, and road construction among others. However, we still have challenges of constructing roads within the state, especially in rural communities,” Zulum said.
“My administration has established a quarry plant in Pulka with a processing capacity of 120 tons per hour. The State Government spent at least 3 billion to establish the quarry plant”, he added.
According to the governor, due to the prevailing insecurity, most contractors are not willing to work in Borno.
“You know, no serious contractor will take the risk of deploying his equipment to most of the implementing areas, so this is the reason we are here”, the governor reinstated.
“So, we have no option but to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Works, the capacity of Borno State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA), the capacity of special projects, monitoring departments and other MDAs that are responsible for road construction.”
The brief ceremony was attended by the Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Engr Baware, BORMA Chairman, Engr Sadu Auno, the Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Engr Bukar Gujubawu and other senior officials.
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
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