Gunmen retaliate after rustling of 102 cows, kill one, injure two in Barkin Ladi in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

One person was killed and two others injured when gunmen attacked Kasuwa Denkeli village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State in the early hours of Saturday, in a retaliatory strike linked to the recent rustling of 102 cows in neighbouring Riyom LGA.

The attack, which occurred at about 2:30 a.m., came days after armed men drove away 102 cows from Dan Sokoto, Ganawuri District of Riyom LGA, heightening tensions across the Barkin Ladi–Riyom–Jos South axis.

Residents of Kasuwa Denkeli told Zagazola Makama that the assailants stormed the community and opened fire on houses, leaving one person dead on the spot and two others with gunshot injuries. The injured were evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for medical attention, while the body of the deceased was deposited at the General Hospital morgue in Barkin Ladi for autopsy.

Police sources who confirmed the incident said “On receipt of a distress call, a team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Barkin Medical immediately moved to the scene.

He added that the two injured victims were rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for medical attention, while the corpse of the deceased was deposited at the General Hospital morgue in Barkin Ladi for autopsy.

According to the police , investigation into the incident has commenced, and efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators, while they urged residents to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible.

Zagazola report that Saturday’s incident is the latest in a chain of incidents that began on Wednesday, Jan. 14, when no fewer than 102 cows were rustled at about 11:00 a.m. in Dan Sokoto, Ganawuri District of Riyom LGA. Local sources said the attackers, identified by witnesses as Berom militia from the Vom District in Jos South LGA, stormed the area and drove away the cattle at gunpoint.

The cattle reportedly belong to Alhaji Nalado of Gargari, around Tashan Nashanan, and Malam Ango of Sabon Kaura, around Kudadu, both in Jos East LGA, although the animals were taken from Ganawuri in Riyom LGA.

Witnesses said the attackers were heavily armed, forcing herders to flee for their lives. As of the time of this report, none of the cattle had been recovered, despite security alerts. Residents also alleged that areas such as Vwang in Jos South and parts of Fan District in Barkin Ladi LGA are increasingly seen as “no-go” zones where rustled cattle are kept, complicating recovery efforts.

The Ganawuri rustling was not an isolated incident. It followed a series of attacks on livestock across Plateau State this month. At least seven cows were poisoned in Kwi village in Riyom LGA, while three others were shot dead around Kuru Gadabiyu in Barkin Ladi LGA near the Bicichi axis. Each incidents had deepens mistrust and raises the risk of reprisals in flashpoints already on edge.

The pattern of escalation has been consistent. On Jan. 6, coordinated attacks on Jol community in Riyom LGA and Gero in Gyel District of Jos South LGA left three people dead. The violence followed the shooting of two Fulani youths earlier that day in Jos South, one of whom later died. Witnesses described the ambush as unprovoked, triggering swift retaliation and counter-retaliation.

December 2025 also saw a surge in incidents. On Dec. 12, more than 130 cattle were reportedly rustled in Nding community. Around the same period, livestock poisoning was recorded in parts of Jos East and Riyom LGAs. These were followed by deadly clashes, including the killing of four children in Dorong village, Barkin Ladi LGA, and attacks on Gero village that resulted in deaths, injuries and loss of livestock.

On Dec. 16, 2025, an attack on an illegal mining site in Tosho community, Barkin Ladi LGA, left 12 miners dead and others abducted, with security sources linking the violence to earlier rustling of 171 castles belonging to the Fulani. In Plateau State, attacks on livestock often act as a spark that ignites wider communal violence.

For pastoral families, cattle are not just animals; they are livelihoods, savings and identity. When herds are stolen, poisoned or shot, families are pushed into desperation. Emotions escalate quickly, and reprisals follow.

Zagazola has repeatedly warned that unless attacks in across Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South LGAs, on both lives and livelihoods are addressed impartially, the state risks remaining trapped in a cycle where each attacks becomes justification for the next

Gunmen retaliate after rustling of 102 cows, kill one, injure two in Barkin Ladi in Plateau

Nigeria Condoles Southern African Nations Hit by Deadly Floods

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has expressed deep sympathy with South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe following devastating floods that have killed over one hundred people and displaced thousands across parts of Southern Africa.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Nigerian government described the disaster as heartbreaking and extended condolences to the affected governments and their citizens.

The statement noted that weeks of heavy rainfall had caused rivers to overflow, destroyed critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, and disrupted farming activities and essential services.

It also highlighted concerns about secondary humanitarian crises, including hunger, possible disease outbreaks, and increased risks to vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly.

Nigeria commended the efforts of national authorities, regional bodies, and international organisations currently engaged in rescue operations, relief distribution, and evacuation of affected communities. The government praised the resilience of the affected countries as they work toward recovery and rebuilding.

The Federal Government also warned that extreme weather events linked to climate change are becoming more frequent across Africa. It called for stronger regional collaboration, improved early-warning systems, and better climate adaptation measures to reduce future disaster risks.

Nigeria reaffirmed its readiness to cooperate with the affected nations through bilateral, regional, and multilateral channels to support disaster management, humanitarian assistance, and climate resilience initiatives.

It assured the governments and people of South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and other impacted countries that Nigeria stands in solidarity with them during this difficult period.

Nigeria Condoles Southern African Nations Hit by Deadly Floods

80 militants surrender arms, embrace amnesty in Cross River

By: Zagazola Makama

No fewer than 80 militants operating in the creeks of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State have voluntarily surrendered their arms and embraced the state government’s peace and reintegration Amnesty framework.

The militants came out in large numbers from the creeks on Friday at Atimbo Rear Area under Operation OKWOK, within the Area of Responsibility of Headquarters 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army and is already being described by as a strategic breakthrough in the fight against coastal militancy and maritime crime in southern Cross River.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the surrender was the outcome of months of sustained military pressure combined with discreet dialogue involving community leaders, government officials and security agencies.

Two militant camps dismantled themselves in one coordinated move. The first camp, headed by ThankGod Ebikontei, popularly known as Ayibanuagha, presented 39 fighters. Four additional members, officials said, are expected to report in the coming days.

The second camp, commanded by John Isaac, alias Akpokolo, brought forward 41 fighters. His group, widely known along the waterways as the Akpokolo Marine Forces or “Border Boys,” had controlled large stretches of creeks linking Cross River to neighbouring coastal corridors.

Ten more of his fighters are also expected to join the amnesty process. In total, 80 militants formally stepped out of the creeks and into a state-supervised disarmament and rehabilitation programme.

The disarmament was not symbolic. A significant cache of weapons, equipment and operational assets was voluntarily handed over, illustrating the firepower the groups once commanded.

The sources said that items surrendered included AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, a Mark 4 rifle, a G3 rifle, multiple single-barrel guns, magazines, speedboats, high-powered boat engines, locally fabricated pistols and assorted military kits.

Of particular concern to security officials was the surrender of an explosive charge and live ammunition, which draw to the attention of the destructive capacity the groups had at their disposal. Also surrendered were machetes, camouflage clothing, tactical vests, knee and elbow guards, and communication tools, all of which painted a picture of organised armed groups rather than loosely structured criminal gangs.

For the Nigerian Army, the scale and quality of the surrendered items confirmed that the amnesty was reaching core actors, not just foot soldiers.

Brig.-Gen. P.O. Alimikhena, Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, described the development as a “confidence-building milestone” that validates the military’s dual-track strategy.

“This voluntary surrender shows that consistent operations, combined with constructive dialogue and strong collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies, can deliver peace,” Alimikhena said.

“We will continue to secure the environment while supporting lawful initiatives that reintegrate repentant youths and ensure lasting stability.”he said.

Military sources said the success in Akpabuyo followed intensified patrols, improved intelligence flow and engagement with local power structures in creek communities.

After the formal disarmament, the former militants were handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team.
They are currently undergoing profiling by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Muka Sam Hotel in Ikot Ansa, Calabar.

The exercise is designed to verify identities, assess security risks and determine eligibility for rehabilitation, skills training and reintegration support. Officials said the profiling phase is crucial to ensuring that only genuine repentant militants benefit from the programme and that criminal elements do not exploit the amnesty.

Akpabuyo Local Government Area sits along a strategic maritime corridor that links Cross River’s inland communities to coastal and cross-border trading routes. For years, militancy in the area has affected fishing, boat transport, palm produce trade and cross-border commerce with Cameroon.

Sea robbery, illegal taxation of fishermen, extortion and violent turf battles turned the creeks into zones of fear. The collective withdrawal of two major camps in one day is therefore both a psychological and operational shift. It sends a signal that militancy is no longer the dominant survival strategy for youths in the area.

The Nigerian Army credited the success of the Akpabuyo amnesty to what it called “effective civil-military collaboration,” singling out the Cross River State Government under Gov. Bassey Edet Otu for sustained political backing, coordination and logistical support.

Sources said the state government’s willingness to invest in dialogue, rehabilitation and youth empowerment made the option of peace more attractive than continued life in the creeks.

Beyond the powerful images of surrendered weapons and surrendered men, officials insist the hardest phase lies ahead. Reintegration, monitoring and economic re-engagement will determine whether the peace holds or unravels.

Headquarters 13 Brigade has reaffirmed its commitment to consolidating the gains, warning that while the door to peace remains open, security forces will maintain pressure against any group that chooses violence over dialogue.

They has urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that the breakthrough in Akpabuyo is not an endpoint, but the foundation for a safer and more stable Cross River State.

80 militants surrender arms, embrace amnesty in Cross River