A fresh attack in the Inzon community of Fan district, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State has led to the death of a 13-year-old herder, Abubakar Wada and 36 cattle, local sources have said.
The sources also alleged that a total of 49 people are still missing from the attack which took place on Tuesday, local sources have said.
Daily Trust reports that some yet-to-be-identified gunmen launched an attack on the community and opened fire on three herders who were returning from grazing on Tuesday evening.
Confirming the incident, Ibrahim Babayo, the Plateau state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) said the young herder died from gunshot wounds while his colleagues escaped the attack.
“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 the Berom people from the 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 the law into their hands,” Babayo said.
In addition, MACBAN’s secretary in Bakin Ladi noted that all security agencies have been duly notified of the attack.
He also accused indigenes of the Berom ethnic group of perpetrating the criminal act while alleging that five cattle were killed in a previous attack in the area on Sunday.
However, reacting to the secretary’s allegations, Solomon Dalyop, National President of Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM), dismissed claims of residents’ involvement in the matter.
“As far as we are concerned, the allegation labelling 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 on 6th October, 2025, resulting in the killing of one Mr Timothy Ishaku Chollom,” Dalyop said.
He urged the public to disregard any allegation regarding the killing of cattle by residents of the LGA.
In his reaction, the Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, 3 Division of Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja while confirming the incident said the matter is currently under investigation.
Danja also said that the Nigerian Army has contacted the sector commander in the area for verification and adequate information on the incident.