Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Gunmen attacked herders on Tuesday night around Gero community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing one and injuring another in a violent incident that has drawn fresh concern over persistent insecurity in the region. The attack was confirmed by Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), who spoke with journalists in Jos on Wednesday.
According to MACBAN’s account, the assault occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on January 6, 2026, while the herders were returning to their cattle shed after visiting the nearby community for shopping. The assailants reportedly followed the victims before opening fire, killing a herder identified as Zakariya Abdullahi and critically wounding another, Jibrin Musa.
Babayo described the attack as “gruesome and barbaric,” lamenting that violence against pastoralists in Plateau State has been on the rise, with numerous incidents recorded in recent months across several local government areas including Jos South, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom. He called on authorities to step up protection for herders, warning that continued attacks are eroding livelihoods and heightening tensions in an already fragile security environment.
The broader context of violence in Plateau State includes a series of killings, rustling and reprisal attacks involving herders and farming communities, often exacerbated by ethnic and communal tensions. Such patterns were evident in other recent episodes across Jos South and neighbouring districts, where gunmen have opened fire on herders, killed livestock and sparked fear among rural populations.
Local security responses and policing efforts have struggled to prevent repeated attacks in the region, with community and livestock associations increasingly urging more robust action from state and federal authorities. The situation underscores the complex security landscape in Plateau, where historical grievances, competition over resources and criminal exploitation of rural spaces fuel cycles of violence.
As investigations continue, residents and pastoralist groups are calling for improved protection, better intelligence sharing and targeted security operations to stem the tide of attacks on herders and other vulnerable groups in the state.
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