A 13-year-old herder, Abubakar Wada, and 36 cattle were killed, while 49 are still missing after gunmen opened fire on grazing animals around Inzon community of Fan district in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to the state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening when three herders were returning from grazing.
Babayo explained that the gunmen stormed the scene of the incident and opened fire on the animals, resulting in the death of one herder, while the other two escaped the attack.
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“The incident happened in the evening. We have so far counted losses of over 80 cattle because 36 were killed while 49 are still missing. The attack was carried out by Berom people from Fan district.
“Two herders escaped the attack. This is barbaric and unfortunate. The herders and the cattle were just passing peacefully without provocation. We call on herders wherever they are in the state to remain calm and allow security forces to investigate those responsible for the attack. Nobody should take laws into their hands,” the chairman said.
Speaking further, the MACBAN secretary in Barkin Ladi, who informed all security agencies in the state about the attack, noted that “the Chief of Staff, Operation Enduring Peace, the DPO in Barkin, and the Sector Commander in the area have all visited the scene of the incident.”
The secretary, however, accused members of the Berom ethnic group of launching the attack, adding that five cattle were earlier killed on Sunday in the same area.
We are not responsible – Berom
But the National President of Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, denied the allegations, explaining that they were a peaceful nationality.
Dalyop said, “As far as we are concerned, the allegation labeling against our peace loving inhabitants of Nding and Fan District in general has always been a ploy to justify any planned aggression on our people.
“We are aware of two simultaneous attacks carried out by suspected Fulani armed groups at about 7:30pm of 6th October, 2025, resulting to the killing of one Mr. Timothy Ishaku Chollom.
“Secondly, forceful grazing into farmlands, residential areas and other restricted places have continued to threaten not only human life, but also food security and cattle rustling in and around Fan District.
“Thus, allegations of killing cows without substantiating such claims should rather be discarded and regarded,” the president said.
We are investigating the incident – Military
Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, 3 division of Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said they are investigating the matter, saying they had contacted the sector commander in the area for verification.
