At least three herders had been killed and 50 cattle slaughtered in an attack on herders in Alohom area of Sabon Gari, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, according to eyewitnesses’ video clips obtained by WikkiTimes.
Another herder was reported missing while 15 cattle sustained gunshot wounds in the incident, which occurred amid heightened tension in parts of the state.
An eyewitness, Alhaji Shagari Alohom, said the victims were attacked while some elders were following behind young herders who were moving cattle through the area.
According to him, the elders had agreed to trail the young herders to monitor their movement and prevent the cattle from straying into farms and causing conflict with farmers.
“We resolved as elders to be trailing behind the young herders to observe how they move around with cattle so that they can prevent encroaching into people’s farms,” Alh. Shagari said.
He said he was close to the cattle when he suddenly noticed a group of people approaching from behind before, they opened fire.
“We ran and, on our way, I had an encounter with two people. We exchanged blows with sticks with one of them and the other attempted to hold me, but I wrestled away and left him with my shirt,” he said.
Alh. Shagari said the attackers were dressed in black clothing and numbered more than 20.
“They killed at least 50 of our cattle and wounded 15 others. They killed three herders and one herder is missing,” he said.
Another eyewitness who identified simply as Alhaji said the attack began after a boy alerted him that people were approaching on motorcycles, with some of them allegedly wearing uniforms.
The eyewitness said he immediately instructed the young herders to return with the cattle.
“But before they could turn back, we heard sporadic gunshots,” he said.
Tension rises
The incident came amid reports of renewed violence in parts of Plateau State, with residents expressing fears of further attacks and possible retaliation.
A resident who issued a security alert on Saturday said three bodies believed to be those of Fulani persons had been recovered in the Alohom area of the Sabon Gari axis of Mangu.
The resident also reported that some people were missing and alleged that more than 30 people had been taken away, with some feared killed.
The figures and circumstances surrounding the incident had not been independently verified.
The resident urged the Nigerian Army, police and other security agencies to immediately increase their presence in the area, protect civilians and prevent further violence.
Residents and travellers were also urged to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary movement and refrain from retaliatory attacks or spreading unverified information.
Police mum as cleric urges restraint
Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, could not be reached for comment on the reported attack.
WikkiTimes called Mr Alabo, who said he was in a meeting and requested that he be contacted after three hours. When contacted again, the police spokesperson did not answer the call. He also did not respond to SMS and WhatsApp messages sent to him seeking clarification on the incident.
Meanwhile, an Islamic cleric, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained in the video monitored by WikkiTimes, has appealed for peace and restraint during the burial of the victims in the area.
The cleric urged residents to tolerate one another and refrain from retaliatory attacks, saying those responsible for the killings would ultimately face divine judgment.
He also appealed to those who lost cattle in the attack to accept their losses and leave the matter to God, noting that the animals could be replaced.
Speaking in the presence of religious leaders, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army formation in the area, the cleric commended security personnel for their efforts to restore peace in the affected communities.
He said security and community leaders had toured conflict-affected local government areas, including Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa, as part of efforts to engage residents and promote peace.
The cleric, however, warned residents against taking the law into their own hands, saying the government and security agencies were already responding to the situation.
He urged the authorities to do more to protect residents, noting that communities in the area had endured a prolonged cycle of violence.
According to him, the latest incident was the 11th major violent attack recorded in the community in recent years, a development he said had left residents exhausted and frustrated.
“People are tired of this recurring violence,” he said, while urging soldiers, police officers and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) deployed to the area to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.
He also questioned the effectiveness of reported drone surveillance operations by security agencies, asking why such technology had not prevented attacks or adequately protected residents and their property.
IGP to visit Plateau
The latest incident comes amid renewed violence in parts of the State that has reportedly claimed at least 20 lives within a week.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, is scheduled to visit the state on Wednesday, September 16, to assess the security situation and strengthen collaboration among security agencies.
The Plateau State Police Command announced the planned visit in a media invitation issued on Tuesday and signed by its spokesperson, Alfred Alabo.
According to the command, Mr Disu is expected to inspect police formations and engage government officials, traditional rulers and other stakeholders on measures to restore peace and prevent further attacks.
On September 13 another attack at Dungus Junction, suspected gunmen reportedly opened fire on a commercial bus at about 9:40 p.m. on Sunday, killing at least nine passengers travelling towards Jos.
The attacks have renewed concerns about the security of communities and major roads across the state, with residents calling for increased security presence and urgent action to prevent further escalation.
