At least two herders have been killed in an ambush by suspected gunmen at Talma village in Ngel District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to members of the herding community, the attack occurred around 8 p.m. on Monday while the victims were on their way to a cattle pen.
The Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos.
Babayo identified the victims as 28-year-old Sadiq Muhammad and 29-year-old Mas’ud Abdullahi, describing the attack as unprovoked and calling on security agencies to apprehend those responsible.
“The attackers shot them several times, killing them on the spot. They also gouged out their eyes for no offence committed by the victims. This act of terrorism has become a recurring occurrence, especially in Gyel District. Herders can no longer graze or move freely without being attacked or killed,” Babayo alleged.
A survivor of the attack, Ismaila Haruna, narrated how he escaped death after gunmen opened fire on them.
“Three of us were riding motorcycles to the cattle pen when gunmen suddenly opened fire indiscriminately. We all fell. My colleagues died instantly, but I managed to escape and reported the incident to personnel of Operation Enduring Peace,” he said.
Haruna explained that security personnel later accompanied him back to the scene, where the bodies of the deceased and a motorcycle were recovered.
“After returning to the headquarters of the operation, the bodies were released to our leaders and families for burial,” he added.
Babayo urged members of the association to remain calm and avoid any form of retaliation while security agencies investigate the incident.
“I urge all our members to remain peaceful and allow the security agencies to investigate the incident. We must continue to be law-abiding citizens,” he said.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Alabo Alfred, did not respond to telephone calls, text messages or WhatsApp messages seeking official comment on the incident.
