Gunmen opened fire killing 13-year-old herder, Abubakar Wada, and 36 cattle with 49 more during an attack on Inzon community of Fan district in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State
The state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, disclosed this on Tuesday evening, saying the attackers struck at when three herders returning from grazing.
Babayo said the gunmen invaded the area and opened fire on the animals, killing a herder, while the other two escaped.
“The incident happened in the evening. We have so far counted losses of over 80 cattle because 36 were killed while 49 are still missing. The attack was carried out by Berom people from Fan district.
“Two herders escaped the attack. This is barbaric and unfortunate. The herders and the cattle were just passing peacefully without provocation. We call on herders wherever they are in the state to remain calm and allow security forces to investigate those responsible for the attack. Nobody should take laws into their hands,” the chairman said.
The MACBAN secretary in Barkin Ladi, informed all security agencies in the state about the attack, saying “the Chief of Staff, Operation Enduring Peace, the DPO in Barkin, and the Sector Commander in the area have all visited the scene of the incident.”
He accused Berom people of being responsible for the attack, adding that five cattle were earlier killed on Sunday in the same area.
But the National President of Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, said his people were not responsible for the attack.
Dalyop said “as far as we are concerned, the allegation labeling against our peace loving inhabitants of Nding and Fan District in general has always been a ploy to justify any planned aggression on our people.
“We are aware of two simultaneous attacks carried out by suspected Fulani armed groups at about 7:30pm of 6th October, 2025, resulting to the killing of one Mr. Timothy Ishaku Chollom.
“Secondly, forceful grazing into farmlands, residential areas and other restricted places have continued to threaten not only human life, but also food security and cattle rustling in and around Fan District.
“Thus, allegations of killing cows without substantiating such claims should rather be discarded and regarded,” the president said.
Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, 3 division of Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said investigation on the matter has begun adding that the sector commander in the area had been contacted for verification.
