Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Three cattle herders have been killed and one other injured in an ambush by unidentified gunmen while grazing livestock in the Gero-Rafin Bauna area of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, according to the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo.
Babayo confirmed the incident on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and condemned the attack, calling on security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the killings and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted. According to him, the bodies of the three victims were discovered in a forest after an extensive search by members of the community. He alleged that the victims were brutally killed during the attack.
The MACBAN chairman further claimed that the latest incident came barely two weeks after four other herders were reportedly killed in the same general area, adding that their bodies had yet to be recovered. Babayo urged the authorities to take urgent steps to improve security in vulnerable communities and prevent further attacks. He also appealed to members of the affected communities to remain calm and allow security agencies to investigate the incident.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Plateau State, where communities have repeatedly come under assault from armed groups despite ongoing military operations. The Gero-Rafin Bauna area has witnessed recurring violence, including a June 30 attack on an illegal mining site that left three people dead and two others injured. In that incident, suspected armed Fulani bandits ambushed local residents near the border communities of Tsoho Gero and Nyango, raising tensions and sparking accusations and counter-accusations between local communities and the Fulani leadership.
The Berom Youth Moulders Association condemned the earlier attack, accusing members of the Fulani community of launching the assault, while the Chairman of MACBAN in Plateau State denied the allegation. The denial deepened the mistrust between the communities, raising fears of reprisal attacks and escalating tensions in the area. Residents of Gyel and neighbouring communities in Bassa Local Government Area had repeatedly raised concerns over attacks and insecurity allegedly perpetrated by armed elements operating around the Gyero and Rafin Buna axis.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the latest killings, and no arrests have been announced. The recurring violence in Plateau State has drawn condemnation from community leaders, civil society groups, and human rights organisations, who have called on the government to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and bring perpetrators to justice. Residents have also expressed frustration over what they perceive as a slow response by security agencies, urging authorities to adopt more proactive measures to prevent further bloodshed.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments