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

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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

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Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

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Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.

Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.

Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.

The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.

The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.

Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

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Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

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Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, marked Democracy Day with the handover of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and critical logistics to the Nigerian Army, after joining internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a symbolic celebration and distribution of food items to 2,500 beneficiaries.

The armoured MRAPs delivered to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday are intended to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes which remain a persistent threat in the fight against insurgents. Additional logistics include operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for frontline soldiers in difficult terrains.

Zulum also marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Madinatu camp where he distributed food supplies, non-food items, and cash gifts to thousands of beneficiaries.

The distribution, held at the Madinatu IDP camp, served to consolidate Zulum’s resettlement gains. Over the past seven years, Borno State Government has successfully resettled more than 2 million IDPs in their ancestral communities in a dignified and voluntary manner.

“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate June 12th, Democracy Day, here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp that is standing inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, today, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, for the distribution of food and non-food items. Inshallah, this camp will be closed this year. This will be our last distribution exercise in this camp, or the second to the last,” Zulum said.

However, Governor Zulum used the occasion to announce a timeline for the camp’s closure. The governor ordered that Madinatu camp be shut down within one month, vowing to similarly close most IDP camps across various Local Government Areas in the coming phase of his administration’s resettlement strategy.

“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people,” Zulum told the IDPs. “Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood.”

In addition to the food items, Zulum approved N50,000 each for the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.

“Each of the 500 beneficiaries mentioned will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of sorghum. Women will receive wrappers. I also promise to provide 50,000 naira to each beneficiary. This amount can be credited into their own individual accounts, inshallah,” Zulum said.

The exercise was attended by the APC’s State Deputy Chairman, Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere at the State Assembly, Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners and commissioner designates and several other senior government officials.

Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

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Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

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Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

By: Michael Mike

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.

The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.

According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.

Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.

He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.

The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.

Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.

The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.

Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

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