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Plateau communities on high alert as fresh cattle killings escalate in Riyom LGA
Plateau communities on high alert as fresh cattle killings escalate in Riyom LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
Pastoralists in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State are on edge following a fresh wave of unprovoked attacks on livestock that threaten livelihoods and heighten tensions between residents and herders.
According to a statement issued by Abdullahi Yusuf, a Fulani community representative in Riyom, on Feb. 2, 2026, one cow was shot dead at Weren Camp, while three other cows were poisoned in Kwi Village during the afternoon hours.
Preliminary reports indicate that the poisoned cattle ingested toxic substances deliberately hidden inside oranges placed in grazing areas, a method that experts describe as “malicious and targeted.”
Yusuf condemned the attacks as “criminal, unacceptable, and a serious threat to peaceful coexistence” among pastoral communities in Riyom.
He called on relevant security agencies to investigate the incidents, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. The community representative also appealed to the Plateau State Government to adopt proactive measures to prevent further occurrences and protect lives, property, and livestock in the affected areas.
“This latest incident in Kwi Village is not isolated. The community is now becoming notorious for cattle poisoning, with repeated attacks undermining the safety of pastoralists and their families,” the statement noted.
The incidents forms part of a pattern of escalating violence across Plateau, with armed ethnic militias and bandits increasingly targeting both human and animal assets.
A notable flashpoint occurred on Dec. 27, 2025, when five Fulani youths traveling along Bukuru Express Road near Angle D, Jos South LGA, were ambushed by armed militia elements assessed to be Berom. The victims, returning from Kara Cattle Market, sustained critical gunshot injuries and were rushed to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for emergency medical attention.
Other documented incidents in recent months include: Dec. 12, 2025: Armed elements attacked Nding Community, Fan District, Barkin Ladi LGA, rustling approximately 137 cattle belonging to three herders. Dec. 13, 2025: Cattle rustling in Kukukah Community, Jos East LGA, resulted in the theft of 34 cows. Less than 24 hours later, nine cows reportedly died after ingesting poisonous substances in Kwi Village, Riyom LGA.
Dec. 16, 2025: Armed Fulani bandits attacked an illegal mining site at Tosho Community, Fan District, Barkin Ladi LGA, allegedly to recover stolen cattle. The attack left twelve people dead, three abducted, and several injured.
Dec. 18–19, 2025: Retaliatory attacks followed, including the killing of four children at Dorong Village, Foron District, Barkin Ladi LGA, and further livestock killings in Gero Village, Jos South LGA.
Zagazola has repeatedly warned that these attacks represent a “predictable escalation cycle,” in which cattle rustling, livestock poisoning, and attacks on pastoral settlements precipitate retaliatory strikes against unrelated civilian targets.
Security sources in Plateau State confirmed that the shootings and poisoning incidents are part of a growing pattern of violence targeting pastoral communities to chased them out of Plateau state but the attacks have rather only contributed to an escalating cycle of reprisal violence, including retaliatory raids and clashes between herders and local communities.
“The deliberate attacks on livestock and civilians show a coordinated effort to destabilize Plateau communities and failure to decisively address these threats risks normalizing violence, increasing civilian casualties, and entrenching Plateau state armed militias as de facto security actors.”
Zagazola have documented the escalating violence across Plateau but the plateau state governments have largely been “looking the other way,” allowing reprisal cycles to continue unabated. The repeated attacks and retaliations draw attention to the urgent need for a robust and coordinated response to protect lives, livelihoods, and the fragile peace within Plateau State.
We therefore called for urgent joint security measures, including sustained patrols, intelligence-led interdiction of militia cells, and decisive disruption of cattle rustling and poisoning networks to prevent further deterioration of the security situation in Plateau state.
Plateau communities on high alert as fresh cattle killings escalate in Riyom LGA
Troops ambush terrorist group, recover bicycles in Marte–Dikwa axis
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled suspected terrorists during an ambush operation along the Marte–Dikwa axis of Borno.
Security sources said the encounter occurred late on March 13 when troops of the 50 Task Force Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade, in conjunction with personnel of the 134 Special Forces Battalion and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, laid an ambush along the main supply route between Marte and Dikwa in Borno State.
According to the sources, the troops made contact with a group of terrorists moving on bicycles at about 10:15 p.m.
The troops immediately engaged the insurgents forcing them to withdraw into nearby bushes.
During exploitation of the area, the troops recovered the corpse of one suspected terrorist, four bicycles and other sundry items believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.
Troops ambush terrorist group, recover bicycles in Marte–Dikwa axis
Oshodi will represent Africa’s interest at WTT, says Mailantarki
The Vice President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, has hailed the appointment of Nigeria’s foremost table tennis administrator, Wahid Oshodi to the Board of World Table Tennis (WTT).
Hon. Mailantarki described the appointment as a “round peg in a round hole,” noting that Oshodi’s elevation to the game’s apex commercial body is a testament to his track record of excellence.
Oshodi, who is the current President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), was appointed as a Director to represent the ITTF on the WTT Board alongside ITTF President Petra Sörling.
“This is a proud moment for Nigeria and a victory for the African continent,” Mailantarki stated.
“Barrister Oshodi has risen through the ranks from the national level to the continental stage with a vision that has transformed the sport.
“Having him as a decision-maker at the highest level of World Table Tennis ensures that African interests are well-represented.”
The NTTF Vice President further congratulated the Nigerian sports community, emphasizing that Oshodi’s presence in the WTT inner circle will serve as a catalyst for the continued growth and commercialization of the game globally.
Oshodi will represent Africa’s interest at WTT, says Mailantarki
Troops rescue six kidnapped victims after gun battle with terrorists in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 1 Division Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued six kidnapped victims after engaging suspected terrorists in a gun battle in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of armed terrorists suspected to be transporting abducted victims through forest routes in the area.
According to the sources, troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gurara, under Sub-Sector 4 of Operation FANSAN YANMA, responded swiftly to the intelligence at about 7 a.m. on March 14.
The troops subsequently laid an ambush at a suspected crossing point used by the terrorists around Sabon Kurutu Village in Kachia LGA.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them in a fierce gun battle. The criminals, overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the troops, fled into the surrounding bush, abandoning some items,” the source said.
Following the engagement, troops combed the general area and successfully rescued six kidnapped victims. However, a seventh victim, a minor, was reported to have died during the crossfire between the troops and the fleeing terrorists.
Troops also recovered three motorcycles believed to have been used by the terrorists during the movement of the abducted victims.
Preliminary interrogation of the rescued victims revealed that they were abducted earlier on March 14 from Janjala Village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The victims said they had been moved through forest routes by the terrorists before the troops intercepted them.
The rescued victims and the body of the deceased minor were evacuated to Katari Hospital for medical attention and other necessary procedures.
Military sources said families of the rescued victims had been contacted.
The Military said the troops 1 Division Operation FANSAN YANMA and other task force has continued sustained offensives and intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks across the North-West region.
Troops rescue six kidnapped victims after gun battle with terrorists in Kaduna
Troops ambush terrorist group, recover bicycles in Marte–Dikwa axis
Oshodi will represent Africa’s interest at WTT, says Mailantarki
Troops rescue six kidnapped victims after gun battle with terrorists in Kaduna
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