10 livestock shot dead 12 inured in attack on Fulani in Gero village as another reprisal in Plateau deepen

By: Zagazola Makama

Tension heightened in Gero village, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau, following the killing and injury of livestock in an attack against Fulani allegedly carried out by Berom militias, an incident residents warned could trigger another round of reprisals across the state.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Sunday when armed men stormed grazing areas around Gero village and opened fire on cattle belonging to Fulani herders.

According to the sources, no fewer than 10 cattle were killed on the spot, while 12 others sustained fatal injuries and were later abandoned.

Community leaders described the attack as part of a growing pattern of unreported violence against pastoral communities in Jos South and adjoining local government areas.The attack at Gero is not an isolated incident. Similar cases have been happening quietly, a community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

The sources alleged that repeated complaints to authorities had yielded little response, accusing the Plateau State Government of reacting mainly to incidents from one side of the conflict.

Zagazola reports that the Gero incident came amid heightened tension following a series of violent episodes across Plateau in recent days, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos East Local Government Areas.

In one of the most disturbing incidents, four children were killed on Thursday in Dorong village, Foron District of Barkin Ladi LGA, in a reprisal attack linked to earlier assaults on pastoral communities and large-scale cattle rustling.

The victims were identified as Precious Joshuah, 17; Isa’ac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3.

The reprisal followed coordinated attacks in which more than 160 cattle were reportedly rustled in Barkin Ladi and Jos East LGAs, while several others died after grazing on poisoned substances in Riyom LGA.

Zagazola report that concern of recent narratives suggesting bandits were planning fresh attacks ahead of the Christmas season failed to reflect the realities on the ground. Many of these reprisals are being triggered by killings, cattle rustling and livestock poisoning that go largely unreported, some allegedly involving government-supported militias,” another source said.

Zagazola warned that unless the government intervened decisively by investigating all attacks, arresting perpetrators irrespective of affiliation and addressing grievances on all sides, Plateau would continue to slide into more violence.

“We fear another round of reprisals if these issues are ignored. Innocent people, especially women and children, who dont know anything always pay the price,” the source added.

As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Government and security agencies were yet to issue an official statement on the Gero village incident.

10 livestock shot dead 12 inured in attack on Fulani in Gero village as another reprisal in Plateau deepen

Troops rescue kidnapped woman in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sub-Sector 3B, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have rescued a kidnapped woman during a search-and-rescue operation in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops, deployed at Kufai Amadu in Takum LGA, received information at about 1:13 p.m. on Friday about a kidnapping incident at Torikegha village, Chanchanji Ward.

The source said the troops immediately moved to the village, where they were informed that the victim, Mrs Iloda Ayinba, a resident of Torikegha, had been abducted while on her way to her farm by suspected herdsmen relocating from the area.

According to the source, the troops pursued the suspects along their withdrawal route and conducted an extensive combing of the general area up to the power line corridor between Benue and Taraba states.

“Following the aggressive and robust search-and-rescue operation, the kidnappers abandoned the victim in the bush and fled,” the source said.

The troops subsequently rescued the woman, while no contact was made with the suspects during the exploitation of the area, the source added.

Troops rescue kidnapped woman in Taraba

Four children killed in Barkin Ladi reprisal attack as Plateau tensions escalate

By: Zagazola Makama

Four children were killed on Thursday in a reprisal attack allegedly carried out by armed Fulani herdsmen in Dorong village, Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, amid rising tensions following recent attacks on herders and cattle rustling in the area.

The victims were identified as Precious Joshuah, 17; Isa’ac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred less than 48 hours after coordinated assaults on pastoral communities in Barkin Ladi, Jos East and Riyom LGAs, during which no fewer than 168 cattle were rustled and several others poisoned.

Zagazola reports that on Wednesday evening, Militia from plateau rustled 137 cattle around Nding community in Fan District of Barkin Ladi LGA, while another 34 cattle were driven away from Kukukah community in Jos East LGA, with only three later returning.

Less than 24 hours later, nine cows reportedly died after grazing on poisoned substances around Kwi village in Riyom LGA, further heightening tension across the affected areas.

A community leader in Foron District, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Dorong attack was carried out in the early hours of Thursday.

“The atmosphere has been tense since the cattle rustling incidents. People have been living in fear, warning that reprisals were imminent if nothing was done. Sadly, those fears have now materialised,” the source said.

Security sources confirmed the incident, adding that troops and other security operatives had been deployed to the area to prevent further escalation and restore calm.

We therefore renewed calls on the Plateau State Government and concerned security agencies to urgently intervene, arrest perpetrators on all sides, and address the underlying causes of the recurring violence.

Zagazola warned that without decisive action, including accountability for cattle rustling, livestock poisoning and retaliatory attacks, Plateau State risks sinking deeper into another cycle of reprisals that continues to claim innocent lives, particularly women and children.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities were yet to issue an official statement on the Dorong incident.

Four children killed in Barkin Ladi reprisal attack as Plateau tensions escalate