Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Fulani herder has been killed in Makera area of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State after gunmen launched a fresh attack that also left six cattle dead and about 20 others wounded by gunfire. The incident reportedly occurred at about 11:55 a.m. on April 26, 2026, and has deepened fears of escalating reprisals in the troubled region. Security sources said troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to a distress call and were deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered the lifeless body of the herder and the injured livestock scattered across the area. Security operatives reportedly pursued fleeing suspects toward Golhoss community, successfully arresting two individuals, while others escaped. The remains of the slain herder have been handed over to officials of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), sources said. The latest killing comes barely two days after suspected armed attackers reportedly killed two local hunters and injured another in what authorities described as a retaliatory strike, following earlier confrontations involving cattle rustling and attacks on herders.
However, the situation has taken a dangerous turn. Sources indicate that anger is rising within the host community, with threats reportedly directed at soldiers over the arrest of the suspects—raising fears of a potential confrontation between civilians and security forces. With a cycle of retaliation unfolding and emotions running high, residents now fear that without urgent intervention, the fragile peace in Riyom could spiral into a wider crisis.
The attack came two days after two local hunters were killed and another injured in a separate incident in Riyom Local Government Area. Security sources said the earlier violence was carried out by suspected bandits in retaliation for an earlier attack by Berom militia on Fulani herders and the rustling of 84 cattle in the same area.
The targeting of herders and poisoning of cattle have become a persistent pattern in Plateau State. The killing of the herder and livestock also coincided with the formal presentation of a petition by the Plateau State chapter of MACBAN to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Department of State Services, and Operation Enduring Peace over what it described as repeated incidents of attacks on herders and alleged poisoning in local communities, especially in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGA. The petition, dated April 23, 2026, signed by state chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, cited incidents between April 18, 20, 22, and 23, 2026, across different communities. It alleged the deliberate poisoning of cattle and stated that despite reports to security agencies, no arrests had been made.
The attack is the latest incident in a region that has suffered a devastating cycle of retaliatory violence. Driven by disputes over land use, cattle rustling, and targeted reprisals, Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas such as Riyom and Mangu have remained flashpoints. Despite ongoing military and police operations, residents say there has been little deterrence, as perpetrators often evade arrest while communities continue to suffer repeated losses. With the military now holding two suspects, the coming days will determine whether this will lead to a de-escalation or spark the next round of bloodshed.
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