Two people have been killed and several cattle reportedly rustled following separate attacks involving suspected armed militia and Fulani youths in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incidents occurred on Wednesday along the Jong-Nyeriwei road and in the Dorowa Babuje community, according to sources cited by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication.
The attacks are the latest in a series of violence and reprisal attacks that have heightened tensions between communities in parts of Plateau State.
According to the report, troops of Sector 4 of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) responded to reports of sporadic gunfire along the Jong-Nyeriwei road at about 1:09pm.
The troops reportedly found the body of 19-year-old Ishaku Yakubu, a herder from Jong Village, at the scene.
“During the attack, a 19-year-old herder identified as Ishaku Yakubu, from Jong Village, was reportedly killed. The attackers also shot and killed seven cattle, while a sizeable number of other cattle were allegedly rustled and taken away from the area,” the publication reported.
The troops subsequently deployed to the Nyeriwei and Enzom areas in an effort to locate the missing livestock and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
Later, at about 2:25pm, troops received a distress call from Dorowa Babuje and immediately moved to the community.
They reportedly discovered that a 23-year-old man identified as Andata had been shot dead by armed Fulani youths around Marit Junction in Dorowa Babuje.
“The two incidents occurred within hours of each other, raising fresh concerns over the potential for retaliatory attacks in the affected communities,” Makama said.
The report said the Headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace had intensified efforts to prevent reprisal attacks and contain the situation.
According to the publication, the latest violence highlights the fragile security situation in parts of Plateau State, where attacks on herders and livestock theft have repeatedly triggered retaliatory violence.
“The pattern has often involved an initial attack resulting in deaths or destruction of property, followed by a reprisal attack against another community, creating a cycle of violence that is difficult to contain,” the report said.
Troops reportedly urged residents to remain calm, avoid reprisals and provide credible information to security agencies to assist ongoing efforts to restore peace.
Security agencies are expected to maintain a presence in the affected areas as efforts continue to prevent further escalation and locate the rustled livestock.
