Berom militia kill another Fulani herder in Riyom, as community vow to attack soldiers for arresting 2 suspects

By: Zagazola Makama

A Fulani herder has been brutally killed in another round of unprovoked attack by Berom militia in Makera area of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident, which occurred at about 11:55 a.m. on April 26, also left six cattle dead and about 20 others with gunshot wounds.

The attacks occurred two days after two local hunters were killed and another injured in an attack by suspected armed Fulani bandits in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, which was carried out in retaliation to an earlier attack by the Berom militia on Fulani herders and the rustling of 84 cattle in the same area.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE responded swiftly to the distress call and deployed to the scene.

“On arrival, troops discovered that one herder had been killed, six cattle were shot dead, while several others sustained gunshot injuries.

“Troops advanced and sighted five suspects fleeing towards Golhoss community. They pursued the suspects and successfully arrested two, while others escaped,” the sources said.

According to the sources, the corpse of the herder was recovered and handed over to the Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

They added that tension rose shortly after the arrest when women and youths from the community mobilised in large numbers and blocked the road in an attempt to attack soldiers and prevent the troops from taking away the suspects.

“The women and youths tried to obstruct the troops and stop the movement of the arrested suspects. However, the situation was later brought under control following the intervention of the youth leader and other peace-loving members of the community, who ensured the road was cleared,” the sources said.

The sources noted that the arrested suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation, while normalcy has been restored in the area under close military monitoring.

In a related development, another attack was recorded at about 4:00 p.m. the same day at Gero community in Jos South LGA, where suspected Berom militia attacked cattle, killing one cow and injuring three others with gunshot wounds.

Security sources warned that the prevailing situation in Riyom and Jos South LGAs retains the potential to trigger reprisals, given past incidents in the area, adding that troops have since dominated the affected communities and are engaging stakeholders to prevent escalation.

Further checks by Zagazola indicate that the latest incident is part of a growing pattern of attacks on Fulani pastoralists and their livestock in parts of Plateau State.

The attacks, however, followed a series of initial pledges by Barrister Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, the National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), who vowed to attack any Fulani grazing in any part of the Berom community.

Mr Mwantiri, in a widely circulated video, said that they (Berom youth) cannot guarantee peace and safety on the Plateau if Fulani continue grazing on their land. The warning followed the initial killing of seven persons in Dorowa Babuje village on Feb. 22, after gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits opened fire on residents at a local relaxation spot.

Since then, every Fulani who comes to cross over into the community has been attacked. In most cases, cattle are rustled and the attackers, with support from community members and traditional rulers, sell off the stolen livestock through their networks in other states.

The back-to-back incidents reflect an entrenched pattern of attacks and reprisals involving Fulani and Berom local militia groups across parts of Plateau State.

At about 5:00 p.m. on April 23, troops of Sector 6 responded to a report of provocative grazing around Tahoos community in Riyom LGA. On arrival, the troops intercepted 34 cattle grazing without a herder within the community. The livestock were moved to the troops’ location for necessary action. Sources noted that the absence of a herder raised suspicions, with concerns that the owner may have either fled or been attacked.

In a related development, troops deployed at Ganawuri also responded at about 11:30 a.m. the same day to a report of destruction of cabbage farms belonging to two residents, Mr Haruna Badung and Mr Elisha Musa, in Bindi community of Riyom LGA.

Similarly, in Mangu Local Government Area, troops of Sector 8 responded at about 12:30 p.m. to a report of injuries to a local resident, Mrs Gift Zaphania, in a confrontation with a Fulani herder while fetching water at a stream in Maijankai village. The victim was found with injuries and was evacuated to a nearby clinic for medical attention. The herder reportedly fled on sighting troops, abandoning 29 cattle, which were taken into custody pending further action.

On April 22, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested three Berom militia members and recovered 84 rustled cattle following an attack on a pastoralist in Riyom LGA. The troops, deployed at Dokku, responded to a report of cattle rustling behind Makera market and tracked the animals to a riverine area, where they were recovered and returned to the owner.

On April 21, 2026, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE neutralised two suspected armed Fulani bandits and recovered weapons around the Marit general area of Doruwa Babuje in parts of Plateau State, preventing potential attacks.

On April 20, 2026, troops under Sector 6 responded to an isolated attack on two civilians in Sabon Gida village, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State by Berom militia. On arrival, the troops discovered the corpse of one of the victims bearing machete injuries, while the second victim was reported to have escaped during the attack.

On April 19, a revenge attack was carried out as a 32-year-old man, identified as Mr Gideon Luka from Mangu but resident in Sabon Gida, was killed by Fulani attackers in an isolated attack along Sabon Gida axis in Gyel District of Plateau State.

On April 19, security operatives in Nasarawa State intercepted 11 cattle allegedly rustled from Bokkos in Plateau State, leading to the arrest of a suspect at Lafia cattle market. Investigations linked the livestock to a larger herd of 57 cattle rustled in May 2025. Acting on the tip-off, detectives swiftly mobilised to the market and arrested one Alhaji Ziya-U Inusa, a resident of Dengi in Plateau State, who was found in possession of eleven cows suspected to have been stolen. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed that he purchased twelve cows from a paramount ruler in Plateau State (name withheld) but transported only eleven due to limited vehicle capacity.

Earlier, on April 16, troops responded to a rustling incident in Mangu LGA, although the suspects fled before the arrival of security forces.

On April 15, troops recovered 48 rustled cattle in Yelwa village, Heipang District of Barkin Ladi LGA, while on April 13, troops foiled an attempted rustling in Bassa LGA, recovering 92 cattle abandoned by fleeing suspects.

Berom militia kill another Fulani herder in Riyom, as community vow to attack soldiers for arresting 2 suspects