A herder, Hamza Sulaiman, was reportedly killed when gunmen opened fire on grazing animals around the Shen community of Jos South local government area of Plateau state.

State Chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN), and Chairman Coalition of Fulani Registered Organizations, Garba Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident, said three cattle and Sheep were also shot dead during the incident.

The chairman said the incident occurred when the deceased and other herders were grazing their cattle.

Jafar Jibrin Bayero, uncle to the deceased, who condemned the incident, narrated how the deceased was killed while grazing animals in the area.

“The herders were six in number when grazing and the incident occurred. While the attackers started shooting, one of the surviving herders quickly called to inform us about the situation. Soon after I received the information, I rushed to a military checkpoint in Latiya, where I reported the incident,” Bayero said.

“Security personnel and I moved to the area, where we found the cattle and the sheep killed.

“After gathering the surviving cattle and other animals, we realized one of the herders was missing. While searching, we discovered where the attackers killed and buried him in a shallow grave in the area.”

The uncle of the victim said they recovered the body alongside security personnel, who escorted them to Dadin kowa burial ground, where they held a funeral prayer for the late Hamza in the evening.

The state chairmen of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo and Garba Abdullahi, called on security agencies to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The leaders also urged their members to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands, trusting the security agencies to take action.

The Public Relations Officer, Early Warning Early Response (EWER), in Jos South, Isa Abubakar, confirmed the incident, describing it as an act of criminality.

“When we heard about the incident, I contacted my chairman, Yakubu C. Gam, to inform him about the situation. I also informed the police division in Jos South, who thereafter moved to the scene of the incident.

“It’s unfortunate because we don’t have this kind of problem in Jos. We are calling on residents to remain calm. The security forces are on top of the situation.”

However, security agencies in the state are yet to respond to the incident as of press time.