Two local hunters have been killed and another injured in an attack by suspected armed Fulani bandits in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, a few hours after Berom youths attacked Fulani herders and rustled 84 cattle in the same area.

The victims were said to have travelled from Foron District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area for hunting activities in Kum village.

The casualties were evacuated to General Hospital, Riyom, while security forces launched a manhunt for the assailants.

The latest incident comes barely 24 hours after troops arrested three suspected militia members and recovered 84 rustled cattle following an earlier attack on a Fulani pastoralist in the same Riyom area.

In that operation, troops of Sector 6 deployed at Dokku responded to a distress call on April 22 over cattle rustling behind Makera market. A search and rescue mission led to the recovery of all the stolen livestock, which were returned to the owner, while the suspects were taken into custody for investigation.

The back-to-back incidents reflect an entrenched pattern of attacks and reprisals involving the Fulani and Berom local militia groups across parts of Plateau State.

At about 5:00 p.m. on April 23, troops of Sector 6 responded to a report of provocative grazing around Tahoos community in Riyom LGA. On arrival, the troops intercepted 34 cattle grazing without a herder within the community. The livestock were moved to the troops’ location for necessary action.

Sources noted that the absence of a herder raised suspicions, with concerns that the owner may have either fled or been attacked.

In a related development, troops deployed at Ganawuri also responded at about 11:30 a.m. the same day to a report of destruction of cabbage farms belonging to two residents, Mr. Haruna Badung and Mr. Elisha Musa, in Bindi community of Riyom LGA.

On arrival, the troops discovered that the Fulani herders responsible had fled the area with their cattle. Community leaders were subsequently invited by the troops to facilitate an amicable resolution and prevent escalation.

Similarly, in Mangu Local Government Area, troops of Sector 8 responded at about 12:30 p.m. to a report of injuries to a local resident, Mrs. Gift Zaphania, in a confrontation with a Fulani herder while fetching water at a stream in Maijankai village. The victim was found with injuries and was evacuated to a nearby clinic for medical attention.

The herder reportedly fled on sighting troops, abandoning 29 cattle, which were taken into custody pending further action.

Zagazola Makama’s series of reports has illustrated how cattle rustling, livestock poisoning, farm invasion by Fulani herders, and targeted attacks on pastoralists’ livelihoods by Berom militia in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu and Riyom LGAs have continued to fuel tensions and violent confrontations.

Both Berom and Fulani criminal elements have carried out coordinated attacks, sometimes leading to loss of lives and destruction of property across the affected local government areas.

Recent security operations have also uncovered networks involved in cattle rustling and illicit livestock trade. On April 19, operatives in Nasarawa State intercepted suspected stolen cattle linked to Plateau, leading to the arrest of a suspect in Lafia. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to purchasing twelve cows from a paramount ruler in Plateau State (name withheld), but transported only eleven due to limited vehicle capacity.

Further investigations identified the livestock as part of a herd rustled in 2025 from Bokkos, pointing to the scale and persistence of the problem.

Other similar incidents include the recovery of 48 rustled cattle in Yelwa, Barkin Ladi LGA, on April 15, and 92 cattle in Bassa LGA on April 13 after security forces pursued fleeing Berom suspects.

Such recurring incidents remain a major trigger for retaliatory violence, complicating peace efforts and heightening insecurity in affected communities.

Efforts are ongoing by troops and other security agencies to contain the situation and prevent further escalation. (Zagazola)

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