Five Fulanis shot by suspected Berom militias in Plateau

Five Fulanis shot by suspected Berom militias in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Five Fulanis were critically injured after being shot by suspected Berom militias near Con Filling Station on Bukuru Express Road, close to Angle D in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the victims were returning home from Bukuru Cattle Market, popularly known as Kara Market, on the evening of Dec. 27, 2025, as they were approaching Anguldi Filling Station, inside their vehicle, the assailants suddenly opened fire on them without provocation, resulting in serious injuries to all five youths.

The victims have been identified as Abubakar Aji, Idi Saleh, Sulaiman, Nura Muhammad Detta, and Dabo Abubakar. The injured were rushed to Jos University Teaching Hospital by security agents for medical attention.

The Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (Macban), Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, confirmed the incident, describing it as part of a recurring pattern of attacks on innocent travellers by ethnic militias in the state.

“We strongly condemn this senseless and criminal act against innocent civilians and call on relevant security agencies to urgently investigate the incident, identify the perpetrators, and ensure they are brought to justice.

“We also urge the Plateau State Government and security authorities to strengthen security along major roads and commercial routes to prevent further attacks and protect the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens, regardless of their ethnic or religious background,”said Yusuf.

The latest attack could be in response to the killing of 12 persons by fulani bandits on the night of 16 December 2025 at an illegal mining site in Fann District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
 
Gunmen, reportedly stormed a mining site at Tosho Community, rounded up illegal miners, and demanded information about the location of 171 cattle stolen from Nding Community on 10 December. The attack left 12 miners dead, three abducted, and several others injured.

 However, the shooting of the five fulani men represents the latest episode in a rapidly escalating cycle of reprisal violence across Plateau State. There has been sustained and coordinated assaults on pastoral communities in Barkin Ladi and Jos East LGAs and Kwi village, in Riyom LGA.

For exactly in December 12, pastoralist were attacked in Nding community in Fan District of Barkin Ladi LGA, where 137 cattle were rustled. The stolen cattle belonged to three herders: Alhaji Wada Sale, Abdullahi Yusuf and Alhaji Talba Abubakar. Consequently, a second attack followed immediately in Kukukah community of Jos East LGA, where 34 cattle were driven away, although three later returned home.

Again, less than 24 hours later, another incident was reported. Nine cows died instantly after allegedly consuming poisonous substances around Kwi village in Riyom LGA.

Two days after, the Fulani retaliated, killing four children in Dorong village, Foron District of Barkin Ladi LGA. The Victims included Precious Joshuah, 17; Isa’ac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3.
 
Following the killing, the angry Berom militia continued with their attacks against the fulani. This time in Gero village, Jos South LGA, which saw the killing and injury of at least 10 cattle, Twelve others were left fatally wounded.

Zagazola Makama, have long warned in series of articles of this predictable pattern: attacks on herders, particularly cattle rustling and livestock poisoning, often trigger retaliatory strikes against innocent civilians and circle of unending violence.

Despite repeated alerts, the Plateau State government had remained complicit and other concerned authorities have been accused of inaction and selective enforcement, which some residents allege has emboldened the state-supported militias to carry out more attacks.
 
This growing environment of impunity has left fulani communities vulnerable for attacks and created conditions where reprisal attacks are almost inevitable. The complicity of the local militias and the failure of government to intervene decisively have deepened the cycle, placing innocent civilians including women and children at the highest risk.

Five Fulanis shot by suspected Berom militias in Plateau