At least two herders were killed in an ambush at Talma village in Ngel District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack, according to the herding community, occurred at about 8 p.m. on Monday as the victims were heading to their cattle pen.

The Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos.

Babayo identified the victims as 28-year-old Sadiq Muhammad and 29-year-old Mas’ud Abdullahi.

He described the attack as unprovoked and urged security agencies to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“The attackers shot them several times, killing them on the spot. They also gouged out their eyes for no offence committed by the victims. This act of terrorism has become a recurring occurrence, especially in Gyel District. Herders can no longer graze or move freely without being attacked or killed,” Babayo alleged.

One of the survivors, Ismaila Haruna, recounted how he narrowly escaped the attack.

“Three of us were riding motorcycles to the cattle pen when gunmen suddenly opened fire indiscriminately. We all fell. My colleagues died instantly, but I managed to escape and reported the incident to personnel of Operation Enduring Peace,” he said.

Haruna said security personnel later accompanied him back to the scene, where they recovered the bodies of the victims and the motorcycle.

“After returning to the headquarters of the operation, the bodies were released to our leaders and families for burial,” he added.

Babayo appealed to members of the association to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“I urge all our members to remain peaceful and allow the security agencies to investigate the incident. We must continue to be law-abiding citizens,” he said.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful. The command’s spokesperson, SP Alabo Alfred, did not respond to calls, text messages or WhatsApp messages sent by our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.