The Plateau state Police Command has confirmed the killing of two herdsmen at a local community in Riyom local government area of the state.
Chairman of Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Malam Nuru Abdullahi, also confirmed the killing, adding that one herder was still missing.
The Police spokesman, ASP Ubah Ogabah, said it is a sad development despite the extensive peace meeting the command held with stakeholders/leaders from Bassa LGA and representatives of the Fulani on Saturday.
“We received a report that two herders were killed around Afura/Maiyanga/Gidan Agu area, the boundary between Riyom and Bassa LGAs by militia youth suspected to have come from nearby communities in Bassa LGA,” he stated.
He said the Commissioner of Police has ordered an immediate investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing and bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
In a statement by the MACBAN chairman, Malam Nuru Abdullahi, the three herders were last seen Tuesday evening at about 4:00 pm.
“On a sad note, another attack on cattle herders has been recorded.
“Today, at about 1600 hrs, Ibrahim Idris, Umar Idris and Abdussalam Sulaiman, while grazing at Gidan Ado village of Ganawuri District, Riyom LGA, were attacked by the blood merchants who have visited terror on herders and it was done by suspected Irigwe bandits from Kwal of Bassa LGA,” Malam Abdullahi said.
He stated further that in a bid to find herders, some blood were seen at a point which they suspected was where they were killed.
Malam Abdullahi said as search and rescue efforts continued Wednesday, two corpses were discovered, while another one was still missing as of the time of filing this report.
He urged state actors, particularly security agencies to speed up action aimed at recovering the herders alive.
“If they were killed, let them surrender the body to us for burial.
“Finally, commence an immediate investigation to help halt further occurrence,” he urged.