A 15-year-old herder, identified as Sadi Aliyu, has been allegedly killed in an attack around Sabon Gidan Kanar community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos.
He also said several cattle were killed while 11 others were still missing following the attack.
According to him, the incident occurred while the herders were grazing their cattle when gunmen stormed the area and opened fire on them.
“The victim alongside his colleagues were rearing cattle when the gunmen attacked them. They shot one herder dead and killed 13 cattle. About 11 cattle are still missing,” he said.
He described the attack as unprovoked and condemned the killing, warning that continued attacks on herders and livestock threaten peaceful coexistence and security in Plateau State.
Babayo said the matter had been reported to the Bukuru B Division of the police and Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP).
He called on security agencies to investigate the incident, arrest the perpetrators, and ensure they are brought to justice, while urging governments at all levels to strengthen protection for citizens regardless of ethnicity or occupation.
The MACBAN chairman also appealed to members of the Fulani community to remain calm and law-abiding and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
He said the association remains committed to peace and dialogue but insisted that justice must be served for the slain herder and other victims of violence in Plateau State.
Meanwhile, spokesperson of Operation Enduring Peace, Capt. Polycarp Auta, had yet to respond to inquiries as of press time.