There is tension in Tashek community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State after gunmen shot dead at least 37 cattle on Sunday....READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE | READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE...
The attack, confirmed by Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), occurred around 1:00 p.m.
The incident comes barely a week after a similar attack in Tanjol community, also in Riyom LGA, where gunmen reportedly opened fire on herders, injuring two and killing five cattle.
Describing the latest attack as “unprovoked,” Babayo alleged that it was “a deliberate move by the perpetrators to achieve a hidden goal.”
“Gunmen stormed the area and started shooting at grazing cattle, leading to the death of 37 cattle and injury of the herder. Immediately after the attack, I called on the sector commander of Operation Safe Haven in Riyom to inform him about the incident and he subsequently deployed troops to the scene to assess the situation,” Babayo said.
He further disclosed that he had informed the commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, the state Commissioner of Police, and the State Director of Security (SDS), noting that, “they all acknowledged the report and asked to not take law into our hands as efforts are being done to arrest the perpetrators.”
Babayo lamented that attacks on herders and their livestock had become routine. Despite this, he urged members to remain law-abiding.
Meanwhile, the youth leader of Riyom LGA, Song Bitrus, has said he is unaware of the incident. He said, “I am not aware of the incident. I am just hearing it from you. I am not aware.”