Gunmen Kill 13-Year-Old Herder, 36 Cattle, 49 Missing In Barkin Ladi Attack

A 13-year-old herder, identified as Abubakar Wada, was shot dead alongside 36 cattle, while 49 other cattle remain missing after gunmen attacked grazing animals around Inzon community in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State.

The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday evening when three herders were reportedly returning home from grazing.

According to Daily Trust, the Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the attack, stating that the assailants opened fire on the herders and their animals.

“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,” Babayo said.

The MACBAN Secretary in Barkin Ladi also confirmed that security agencies were immediately alerted about the incident.

According to him, the Chief of Staff of Operation Enduring Peace, the Divisional Police Officer in Barkin Ladi, and the Sector Commander in the area visited the scene to assess the situation.

The secretary further alleged that members of the Berom ethnic group were behind the attack, adding that five cattle had been killed in the same area on Sunday prior to the fresh assault.

Berom Youths Deny Responsibility

Reacting to the accusations, the National President of the Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, dismissed the claims, describing them as an attempt to justify future aggression against their people.

“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 7:30 pm on 6th October, 2025, resulting in the killing of one Mr. Timothy Ishaku Chollom.

Secondly, forceful grazing into farmlands, residential areas, and other restricted places has 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,” Dalyop stated.

Military Begins Investigation

The Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations, 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the army has commenced investigations into the incident.

He disclosed that the sector commander in the area has been contacted to verify the details of the attack, assuring that appropriate steps would be taken based on the findings.

Source: Informationng