A 13-year-old herder, Abubakar Sadi, has allegedly been killed by security operatives in Dakun community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security personnel, including soldiers, DSS operatives and mobile policemen, have been stationed in the area to maintain law and order following incessant clashes between farming and herding communities.

Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Riyom, Alhaji Bello Adamu, who confirmed the incident, said the victim was killed while grazing between 1pm and 2pm yesterday.

A community leader, Ibrahim Chiroma, said they were holding a peace meeting with the youth leader of Jol when they heard gunshots.

According to him, “As we approached the scene, we met DSS personnel dispersing herders who were grazing. We called their commander after recovering the corpse, but they denied involvement in the killing. This is their third day here and this is what they have done to us. This is unjust.

“I am calling on the government to be just to us. We are not being treated fairly. We demand compensation for the victim”.

Sanusi Auwal, a brother of the deceased, described the killing as brutal, saying the victim was going about his lawful business when security operatives opened fire on the herders.

He said, “My brother was just 13 years old. He went out for peaceful grazing without any provocation or farm destruction, and they killed him. We are not suspecting civilians, but DSS personnel. We call on both the state and federal governments to come to our aid. They are supposed to protect the lives of all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity or religion.”

When contacted, the DSS and the spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace denied involvement, saying they were not aware of the incident but would investigate. (The Guardian)

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