By Golok Nanmwa
A 15-year-old herder, Sadi Aliyu, has been killed by suspected gunmen in Sabon Gidan Kanar community of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack, which also left 13 cattle dead and 11 others missing, occurred while the victim and other herders were grazing livestock in the area.
Confirming the incident on Saturday, the Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, said the assailants stormed the grazing field and opened fire on the herders without provocation.
According to him, the teenage herder was killed on the spot, while several cattle were shot dead during the attack.
“The victim, alongside his colleagues, was rearing cattle when the gunmen attacked them. They killed one herder and 13 cattle, while about 11 cattle are still missing,” Babayo said.
He condemned the attack, describing it as a threat to peace and security in the state.
“The continuous targeting of innocent herders and their livestock is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to peaceful coexistence and security in Plateau State,” he added.
Babayo disclosed that the incident had been reported to the Bukuru B Division of the Nigeria Police Force and Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace for investigation and necessary action.
He called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack, arrest those responsible and ensure that justice is served.
The MACBAN chairman also urged governments at all levels to take proactive measures to protect the lives and property of citizens, irrespective of their ethnic background or occupation.
While appealing for calm, he advised members of the herding community and other affected persons against taking the law into their own hands, urging them instead to allow security agencies to carry out their responsibilities.
“The association remains committed to peace, dialogue and lawful means of addressing grievances,” he said.
Meanwhile, the incident comes amid renewed efforts by the Plateau State Government to strengthen security across the state.
Recall that Governor Caleb Mutfwang recently announced a ban on night mining activities, directing that all mining operations must end by 5 p.m. daily.
The governor also banned night grazing and prohibited grazing by underage herders as part of measures aimed at curbing insecurity.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from Operation Enduring Peace were unsuccessful, as the spokesman of the operation, Captain Polycarp Oteh, had yet to respond to enquiries as of the time of filing this report.
