Africa-Press – Nigeria. Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has claimed that over 163 cows belonging to their members were rustled on Wednesday when gunmen attacked some Fulani herders in two separate incidents in Barikin Ladi and Jos East local government areas of the state.
Chairman of MACBAN in the state, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, who made the allegations in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, said the first incident occurred at Nding community in Faan district of Barikin Ladi, when the gunmen suspected to be local militias, attacked the herders and stole 137 cattle.
According to Babayo, the second attack happened in the Kukukah community of Jos East LGA, where at least 34 cattle were rustled, while only three were recovered.
Ibrahim stated that from the accounts of the herders, the gunmen opened fire on them while grazing the cattle, and when the herders fled for safety, the gunmen moved away with the cattle.
“On Wednesday, December 10, the gunmen stormed the grazing areas and started shooting. They succeeded in rustling the cattle while the herders escaped the attack. The two attacks took place on the same day.
“The first one happened around Nding in Faan District of Barikin Ladi where 137 cattle were rustled in the area. The second attack occurred in Kukhkah in Jos East LGA, where 34 cattle were rustled.
“The rustled cattle belonged to three persons: Alhaji Wada Sale, Abdullahi Yusuf, and Alhaji Talba Abubakar,” Babayo said in the statement.
Continuing, he said:
“Soon after the incidents, I personally called heads of security forces, including the DSS, Operation Enduring Peace, and the Police in the state to inform them about the development. I also reported the incident to the Sector 4 commander in Barkin Ladi.
“It is regrettable that while the herders were carrying out their lawful business, some troublemakers would attack them and rustle their cattle.”
He called on his members and those affected in the attacks to remain calm and allow security agencies to carry out their duties, while urging the security forces to track down the perpetrators of the attacks.
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