The attack occurred on Tuesday evening around the Inzon community in Fan District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where Wada and two other herders were grazing their animals.  

The assailants reportedly opened fire without provocation, killing the young herder and slaughtering the livestock, while the surviving herders escaped with gunshot injuries.  

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Plateau State chapter, condemned the assault as “barbaric and unfortunate,” urging herders to remain calm and allow security forces to investigate.  

Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, MACBAN’s state chairman, alleged that Berom youths from the Fan community were responsible, noting a similar incident on Sunday where five cattle were killed in the same area. 

The group’s Barkin Ladi secretary confirmed that security officials, including the Chief of Staff of Operation Enduring Peace, the Divisional Police Officer, and a sector commander, visited the scene.  

In response, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations for the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army, stated that investigations are underway, with troops deployed to restore peace. 

The Berom Youth Movement (BYM), however, denied involvement and accused Fulani armed groups of recent attacks, including the killing of Timothy Ishaku Chollom on October 6, while decrying unsubstantiated claims of cattle killings that could inflame tensions.  

This incident adds to a surge in violence in Plateau State, where MACBAN reports 27 herders killed and over 160 cattle shot dead between September and October alone.