The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said it read with regret the statement issued on October 15, 2025, signed by the Secretary-General of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Comrade Bature Iliya Adazaram, on behalf of the President of the group, Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri.

In a statement yesterday, the BYM President had claimed that armed Fulani from Fass and Werre/Jong areas launched two simultaneous attacks on Rachas village of Tatu Community in Heipang District and Rawuru village of Fan District, both in Barkin Ladi Council of the State.
According to the BYM statement, the said attacks claimed 13 lives, and over 250 cattle belonging to the Berom were rustled during the incident. “We condemn any form of criminality against humanity, irrespective of their origin.

“However, we are not surprised by the allegation by BYM, considering that such allegations against Fulani have become routine. It is on record that our members are often accused of attacks without any substantiated proof.
“We challenge BYM to provide any evidence to support their claim, if any. We believe that one is only accused of committing a crime if they are arrested and evidence is provided.”

According to the MACBAN Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, BYM has a habit of rushing to accuse the Fulani even before investigations by security agencies, saying they are not in any way involved in the alleged attacks.
Babayo said the world has seen the difficulties Fulani communities are facing in the State, as they are being killed daily and their cattle rustled regularly. “Our members cannot go out for grazing due to incessant gunmen attacks on us. Gunmen open fire at will whenever they go. All security agencies are aware of these atrocities.”

From June this year to date, he said they have lost more than 500 cattle, while some were shot dead and others rustled.
“In June, between the 1st and 14th, over 160 cattle belonging to Haruna Ibrahim and Alhaji Sani Muhammad were rustled by Berom from Fan District. Later, on September 2, a herder was killed and over seven cattle were killed by the same Berom of Fan District.

“October witnessed a series of attacks: on the 2nd, three herders were attacked along Mararaban Kantoma; on the 5th, herder Yusuf Abubakar and his five cattle were killed; and on the 7th, a Tuesday, herder Abubakar Wada and his 39 cattle were killed, with over 50 rustled around Izon Community of Fan District in Barkin Ladi. We have reported all these attacks to security agencies, including the Police, Operation Enduring Peace, and the DSS. The reports of these incidents can be verified with the relevant security agencies,” the statement added.

The statement, therefore, categorically rejected the allegations by BYM against their members of any attack in Barkin Ladi communities and urged members of the public to dismiss them, as there is no justification or basis for the claims. It also called on security agencies to investigate the incidents, ensure the arrest of the perpetrators, and bring them to book.

They also called on security agencies to investigate the killing of their members and the rustling of their cattle and bring those responsible to justice. “We are calling on security agencies to provide adequate security to ensure the protection of our members who often go out to graze, so as to restore confidence in them.”

They further urged their members to remain calm, law-abiding, and not take the law into their own hands, expressing confidence that the security forces would investigate and apprehend those responsible for the attacks against them.