Miyetti Allah, Berom Youths Trade Blame Over Killing of Young Herder, 36 Cattle in Plateau

Tension has risen in Plateau State following the alleged killing of a 13-year-old herder, Abubakar Wada, and the reported death of 36 cattle, with 49 others still missing, after gunmen attacked a grazing herd in Inzon community, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on Tuesday evening, has sparked a fresh exchange of accusations between the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM).

Speaking to journalists in Jos, the Plateau State chairman of MACBAN, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, said the attack occurred as three herders were returning from grazing. He alleged that gunmen suspected to be Berom youths ambushed the group and opened fire, killing one of the herders and several cattle.

“The incident happened in the evening. We have so far counted over 80 cattle lost, 36 were killed, while 49 are still missing,” Babayo stated.

“The attack was carried out by Berom people from Fan District. This is barbaric and unfortunate. The herders and their cattle were merely passing through the area without any provocation.”

Babayo appealed to Fulani herders across the state to remain calm and not retaliate, urging security agencies to investigate and apprehend those responsible.

“We call on herders wherever they are in the state to remain calm and allow security forces to investigate those responsible for this act. Nobody should take the law into their own hands,” he added.

Similarly, the MACBAN secretary in Barkin Ladi, who also reported the incident to security operatives, confirmed that officials from Operation Enduring Peace, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Barkin Ladi, and other security personnel had visited the scene.

However, in a swift rebuttal, the national president of the Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM), Barr. Solomon Dalyop, dismissed the allegation, describing it as false and an attempt to malign the Berom community.

“As far as we are concerned, the allegation levelled against our peace-loving inhabitants of Nding and Fan District is baseless and often used as a ploy to justify planned aggression against our people,” Dalyop said.

He accused armed herders of being behind recent attacks on Berom communities, adding that the same night the alleged herder killing occurred, two Berom residents were attacked and one killed by suspected Fulani militias.

“We are aware of two simultaneous attacks carried out by suspected Fulani armed groups at about 7:30 pm on the 6th of October, 2025, which resulted in the killing of one Mr. Timothy Ishaku Chollom,” he stated.

Dalyop reiterated that the Berom community remains committed to peace and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the truth behind both incidents.

Meanwhile, security operatives in the area have not issued an official statement regarding the attack, though sources within the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) said troops had been deployed to the area to prevent escalation and ensure calm.

The Barkin Ladi axis of Plateau State has long been a flashpoint of recurring clashes between herders and farming communities, often triggered by disputes over grazing routes, land ownership, and retaliatory attacks.

Residents of nearby communities have appealed for government intervention to forestall further violence and ensure justice for victims on both sides.